Wendy Oliver
Before Wendy, 31, from
Southville, joined The Prince’s Trust Enterprise
Programme she was suffering from crippling depression, poor health
and financial difficulties. She now owns a successful business
providing a valuable service to the community, helping people to
work on their fitness.
As a
personal trainer and sports massage therapist she had a stable job
for many years, however she battled with low self-esteem and after
the collapse of a relationship, Wendy suffered a nervous breakdown
and was hospitalised for depression.
Wendy spent the next three years battling her condition and she
was not able to hold down a job. As she struggled to cope
financially, she moved back home and was cared for by her
family.
She was determined to rebuild her life and it was at this point
that she approached The Prince’s Trust. She signed up to the
Enterprise Programme, which helps unemployed young people to
start-up in business. The programme was ideal for Wendy because the
personal attention and support she received, specifically from her
business mentor, helped with her anxiety about learning new
skills.
Wendy received a £500 grant to set up intouch studios, a
business designed for individuals and groups to work on their
fitness with a special emphasis on injury prevention,
rehabilitation and weight loss.
Since launching 17 months ago, intouch studios has managed to
attract 100 loyal members. Wendy employs two members of staff from
the local community with the intention of hiring a third person and
opening a second studio – which shows the level of success the
business has achieved and the valuable service Wendy is providing
to her community.
Wendy said:
If The Prince’s Trust had not given me the
support and financial resources to set up my business, intouch
studios would not exist now. I needed a support system to cope with
the stresses of starting a new business. The Prince’s Trust gave me
the confidence and knowledge to make my venture a success.
Champions
We would like to acknowledge the individuals or organisations
who have played a key role in helping this young person achieve
success through their Prince’s Trust programme.
- Dave Roberts, Managing Director,
Innogistic
- Erica Thomas, Business Mentor