Changing the lives of 2000 young people in the UK

by The King's Trust

Changing the lives of 2000 young people in the UK

Project Report | Mar 5, 2014
Martin's story of success, thanks to your support

By Humah Akram | The Prince's Trust

After leaving school, Martin, 26, found himself in debt and in trouble with the police. He now works with Northamptonshire County Council to help adults find work experience.

As early as eight years old, Martin had thoughts of suicide.

Born in Holland, childhood was spent between numerous countries before he eventually settled in the UK aged 11. This unstable life caused anxiety, and a difficult home life led to a speech impediment from a young age.

Bullying was a constant factor in Martin's life, and as his problems escalated, his thoughts became darker.

Martin's school life was tumultuous. Getting into fights, he began drinking and misusing drugs and was often excluded from lessons. When his mother died shortly after arriving in the UK, Martin’s life went further out of control.

In spite of this, he left school with three GCSEs. But with only irregular employment, and substance misuse still a factor in his life, Martin found himself with mounting debt and in trouble with the police. Having moved away from home, his family life was non-existent, and he hit his lowest point.

He came across The Prince’s Trust Team programme by chance. The course provides young people with key workplace skills and helps them gain confidence. Martin’s progress on the scheme was evident from the very beginning. With new resilience he overcame his communication barriers and often took the lead on community projects. Never once becoming aggressive, he was a model pupil.

Since joining the course, Martin has transformed into a ‘phenomenal young man’ according to his Team leader. His dedication has seen him become a volunteer with The Trust, and such is his success that he has been asked to head up a new Tools for Self Reliance project for Northamptonshire County Council, a scheme that helps adults find work experience.

Martin’s journey was long and harrowing, but now he has a worthwhile career and is looking forward to the future. He says..."My life changed for the better while on the Team programme. I’m now embarking on a journey to help make my county more sustainable, and it is all thanks to The Prince’s Trust."

Links:

Martin's Story

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Dec 2, 2013
Jack's story of success, thanks to your support

By Humah Akram | Corporate Partnerships Executive

Angry and disillusioned with school, Jack, 15, from Bristol, felt his future was slipping away. But after taking part in The Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme, Jack re-entered education and is now looking forward to a promising career as a mechanic.

Frustrated by his dyslexia and disruptive in lessons, Jack was excluded from class and sent to a segregated unit within his school, where he spent the next three years.

“I wanted to do well, but it felt like everyone was against me, like I wasn’t worth believing in. I didn’t want to end up on the rubbish heap, but felt my future was slipping away - that I’d drop out of school with no qualifications and no prospects and possibly turn to crime.”

But then Jack started to attend Fairbridge, a Prince’s Trust programme aimed at empowering young people to turn their lives around. Beneath all his anger, his programme tutors saw how bright Jack was, but helping him see the potential they knew he had was a challenge.

Sometimes Jack engaged, and sometimes his anger got the better of him. But whenever he did well, his tutors commended and encouraged him.

“Mostly I didn’t want to hear or believe their praise; but part of me did. Then one day it all made sense. Everything they’d said. I went to bed one night and when I woke up, I knew I had to stop wasting my time and make the most of my education.”

He threw himself into Fairbridge and was one of the first young people on his programme to complete his Prince’s Trust qualification. Jack is now on the Connexions Choices programme of full time education and has a place at college for the next academic year on a mechanics course, a profession he wants to pursue as a career.

"Thanks to The Prince’s Trust, I’ve got something I never thought I’d have: a real future, and it feels great."

Thank you for supporting young people like Jack by donating to this project for The Prince's Trust.

Links:

Watch a video of Jack's story

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Sep 6, 2013
How Dan transformed his life with your support

By Georgia Bridgwood | Individual Giving Executive

Dan, 26, was a professional soldier, but returned from Iraq after the birth of his second child feeling physically and mentally exhausted. Suffering from flashbacks, he concluded the army was no longer for him.

Once discharged, he went through a series of low-paid jobs to support his family. Around this time, his relationship ended. Dan gained sole custody of his two children and moved into his own house. With little support from his family he was barely getting by, experiencing periods of depression and loneliness. Doubting his abilities, Dan had lost confidence and belief in himself.

He had previously had the idea of starting his own gardening business. With both children soon to be in school, he thought it was a good time to focus on his future. While seeking advice, he joined The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme, a scheme helping young people interested in self-employment explore their ideas in setting up a business.

He found the speakers on the course particularly inspirational. They made him realise anything is possible if you put your mind to it. His time on the programme gave him the desire to be a success by learning from his mistakes. With renewed confidence, Dan found the motivation to move forward. With support and funding from The Prince’s Trust, he started his business, Gardeners R Us. With several regular customers, including an estate agent, it is doing well.

Today, Dan is a different person to the world-weary ex-soldier he once was. With ambitions to expand his business, he has lots of ideas. However, Dan’s main goal is to provide for his family and be a positive role model to his children.

Dan said: "With amazing support from The Prince’s Trust I have achieved a lot in 18 months. In the past I had many dark days, but now my outlook is positive and I can see a bright future."

Links:

Other case studies in Dan's region

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