Changing the lives of 2000 young people in the UK

By 18, Michael, from Bedfordshire, was homeless. His relationship with his family had collapsed, forcing him to leave. He felt life had no meaning and he was on a destructive path, until a friend intervened.

Michael moved into a hostel and, after being unemployed for 12 months, his Jobcentre adviser had recommended our Get Into Railways programme.

The four-week programme, which helps unemployed young people find a job in the rail industry, included sessions on teamwork, becoming more employable and having a positive mental attitude.

“The Prince's Trust taught me how to think positively. When faced with a bad situation, I learnt to avoid thinking negatively. Negative thinking used to really plague me.”

Michael’s commitment to the programme was obvious. Each day he was the first to arrive and one of the last to leave.

For him, our staff stood out most, keeping him going when he felt like giving up.

“The Prince's Trust staff were so encouraging and positive all the time, it made me believe I could do it. I’d never felt like that before, no one had believed in me.”

Michael points out that when his finances hit rock bottom, one of the team organised a bus pass so he could still get to sessions.

Despite a long commute and 5am starts, Michael enjoyed his two-week placement and was offered a full-time job on completion.

"Looking at my first wage slip, I felt this was the start of something good. Before doing the Get into Railways programme, I didn't think that would ever be something I would get to feel."

Michael aspires to join the police force one day.