Understanding the views of young people, and learning from them, is essential to The Prince's Trust. This vital strand of our work helps us develop and refine solutions for disadvantaged young people. It has also made us a key commentator on issues affecting them.

Investing in research is a major part of our work. Since 2001 we've published several ground-breaking studies:

• The Cost of Exclusion
  April 2007
  A jobless generation of young people is costing the UK economy billions in lost productivity and crime, according to a joint report published by The Prince’s Trust and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS).
  
  The Cost of Exclusion warns that youth unemployment is costing the UK economy a staggering £10 million a day in lost productivity. Together with the £20 million-a-week the government pays out in Jobseeker’s Allowance, the young unemployed are costing the UK billions of pounds each year. Download the report
  
  The report, based on research conducted by the Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics, also reveals that youth crime is costing the UK economy £1 billion every year while educational underachievement costs £18 billion in lost earnings.
  
• Fit for the Future?
  November 2006
  Unemployed young people are more vulnerable to binge-drinking, depression, poor diet, smoking and drug misuse, affecting their health and wellbeing throughout life. The report, based on interviews with more than 1,000 16-to 25-year-olds, highlights the benefits of building young people’s self-esteem. Those on Prince’s Trust courses, designed to improve confidence and practical skills, were 40 per cent more likely to be motivated for work and, in turn, feel more responsible for their health.
  Download the report here
  
• Tackling the Poverty of Opportunity
  June 2005
  This report, produced by the Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics on behalf of The Prince's Trust and the RBS Group, shows how England's most deprived districts have made lower relative progress in reducing the number of young people leaving school with no GCSEs.
  Download the report
  
  
• Reaching the Hardest to Reach
  March 2004
  This seminal study is The Trust's biggest-ever consultation with 14-25 year olds. The report is a comprehensive look at the perceived and real barriers they face, and where they turn for support.
  Reaching the Hardest to Reach is priced at 20. After downloading your copy, please make a secure, online donation of 20 to The Prince's Trust. Thank you.
  Download the report
  (Please note, the file is 6mb and may take a few minutes to download)
  Click here to make a secure online donation to The Prince's Trust
  
  
• Look Beyond the Label
  February 2004
  This report interviews more than 1,000 people across Britain on their understanding of the care system. It finds that while an encouraging 80 per cent believe those in care have as much potential as their peers, there is still misunderstanding about the care system and the barriers these young people face.
  Download the report
  
  
• Starting Over
  April 2003
  This report sheds much-needed light on a highly disenfranchised group in the UK: young refugees and asylum seekers. The study captures the challenges and expectations of young refugees, and assesses ways in which the voluntary sector can work to enrich their self-development and improve their skills, help them find confidence and motivation, and make net contributions to our society.
  Download a copy of Starting Over (Note: To view the report you'll need Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you don't have it, you can download it from this link)
  
  
• The Way It Is
  April 2002
  Following the success of It's Like That, this study continues querying the attitudes and aspirations of disadvantaged young people, shifting the focus to young people who've been excluded from compulsory education, who have left care, or who are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
  Read a research summary of The Way It Is
  
  
• It's Like That
  February 2001
  This seminal report, presented to MPs and policy makers, challenges media myths about disadvantaged young people. It's Like That details how, despite the background of negative messages they're fighting, young people in fact have positive attitudes and aspirations and want a place in society. Young fathers feel great love and responsibility for their children, young mothers feel able to cope with and enjoy motherhood, and most unemployed young people want to work.
  Read a research summary of It's Like That

Contact us

To request any information about The Prince's Trust, email us on info@princes-trust.org.uk