You can change young lives

Your support couldn’t be more needed right now, as our phone and online teams continue to hear from young people who have lost their jobs, who see no prospect of getting a job, and whose plans for the future have collapsed.

For 24-year-old Shannon, emigrating from South Africa to England in February 2020 should have been the start of an exciting new chapter. Now living in Eastleigh, Shannon finished studying at the end of 2019, and emigrated in February this year. Her original plan was to try and start her own business dog-walking, but the pandemic meant she had to prioritise finding work.

“I was looking for a job, applying to lots of places but having no luck whatsoever. I was getting the interviews but never getting the job. A friend’s dad sent me the link to The Prince’s Trust Get Started with Health and Social Care course. I thought, I’ve got nothing to lose, I’ll see what they can offer on the 3 day programme and take it from there.”

“I was just looking for anything. I studied Psychology, and I wanted to use that in some way. It wasn’t a fun time, as I didn’t know a lot of people in the UK except my partner who I came over with, and family who I’m staying with at the moment. I was quite disappointed that my original plan didn’t work out, but now I’ve got a job it feels a little bit more stable. I feel like I have a purpose now, it feels really meaningful.”

Right now, Shannon is focussed on working as hard as she can and is loving what she is doing. She is so happy that she took part in the course as she is now in a job she loves.

Shannon says, “I found it really helpful on the course to look at how I could use something really small as an example to show my skills and experience. There was also not a focus on over-selling myself. I liked that we just went straight to an interview so they could see me and not just a piece of paper. I really appreciated that we were connected to an actual person!”

“I didn’t go into the course with a lot of expectations as I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but I really enjoyed it. I got to see that I’m not alone in this, and there were lots of people around my age going through the same thing, getting the same feedback that they don’t have enough experience.”

At the end of the course, Shannon was invited to three interviews, and all three requested second interviews. Impressing all the employers, Shannon then got offers of employment from all three jobs, and she was able to choose which role felt best suited to her. It boosted her confidence hugely, to have not just one, but three employers, recognise her skills and want to employ her.

Shannon is now working as a support worker for Leonard Cheshire Fryers House, working with adults with physical disabilities. She helps with personal care and their day-to-day activities, as well as giving them companionship, as the pandemic has left them very isolated. In the future, she would love to use her Psychology degree to help with mental health support in some way.

Reflecting on the Get Started with Health and Social Care course, Shannon said, “I definitely think that The Prince’s Trust helped build my confidence. I was really starting to lose hope that I was going to get a job, and that confidence helped me in my interviews to be more positive. I would tell other young people just to give it your all – you don’t have anything to lose. The Prince’s Trust are there to help you, and if you just take their advice it really does work out for you.”

In these challenging times for everyone, thank you so much for thinking of what young people are going through, and supporting them as they try to navigate their lives and begin their careers amidst this crisis.

With your support we can help many more young people. Like Shirley who was unemployed for three years after losing confidence in her abilities.

Although she always wanted to get back into work, Shirley knew it wouldn’t be easy finding childcare for her three children and she didn’t know where to start.

The Get into Healthcare programme with The Prince's Trust helped Shirley to realise her potential and she is now keen to pursue a career with the NHS.

Shirley said: “Before the programme with The Prince’s Trust, I was a full-time mum with three children. I had lost my confidence and so I found it difficult to even consider applying for jobs."

“I felt that there were many barriers preventing me from getting back into work including the cost of childcare.”

“I have always wanted to get back into work, but I just didn’t feel I was able to and kept thinking it was just too much for me, both financially and emotionally.”

“I have experience working in nursery and primary schools and have always been interested in a role in healthcare. When I realised that The Prince’s Trust could help me with childcare, one of my main obstacles when trying to find work, I knew that this could be my chance.”

“I attended a few engagement days in October before my course began in January 2020. Although I was a bit nervous on the first day, I found the experience really positive and was looking forward to starting my course full-time.”

After completing the programme, Shirley was offered and accepted a full-time six-month contract after existing NHS staff were moved into other positions, which meant more roles opened up for the young people at the end of the course.

“The programme has changed my life completely. I’ve regained my confidence with all the help and guidance that I’ve received from The Prince’s Trust. My plan now is to apply for a permanent job within the NHS.”

So thank you for helping our young people, it makes the world of difference!