July 2011

Young people meet The Prince of Wales

A group of young people who turned their lives around against the odds, met His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at his estate in Carmarthenshire during his recent visit to Wales.

Young AmbassadorsThe Prince met more than 70 young people who had been on The Prince’s Trust programmes, including 14 Young Ambassadors. At the event, he chatted to the young people about their experiences with The Trust.

Thirty year old Victoria Howells from Caerleon had been unemployed for six months and was struggling to support herself and her young son when she enrolled in The Trust’s Enterprise programme. She has now set up recruitment consultancy Premier Logistical Solutions Ltd (PLS), based in Newport and has become a Young Ambassador for The Trust. Victoria met The Prince during the visit and gave a talk to the guests about her early struggles to support her young son and the support she received from The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme.

Victoria said:

Before I approached The Trust I was struggling to find work that would allow meVictoria Howells with The Prince of Wales to be there when my son needed me. I wanted to be able to support us but was losing confidence rapidly. Having the encouragement and support to set up my own business was a lifeline and I am delighted to be able to give something back. Meeting The Prince was a great honour today and very exciting.

The Prince of Wales and young peopleThe Trust’s Young Ambassador Programme recruits young people who have taken part in Trust programmes across Wales to act as role models, inspiring others through their personal experience of turning their lives around and influencing policy and decision-making that affects young people in Wales.

The Trust supports more than 3,000 vulnerable young people in Wales every year, giving them the skills and confidence to find a job. More than three in four young people on Prince’s Trust schemes move into work, education or training.