The Prince's Trust is leading five partnerships with voluntary, public and private sector organisations under Talent Match. This is a Big Lottery Fund scheme designed by young people for young people, to help 18- to 24-year-olds who are long-term unemployed.

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor of good causes money from the National Lottery. Over the next five years, The Big Lottery Fund has set aside £108 million, to support 21 Talent Match programmes across England.

Nat Sloane, England Chair of the Big Lottery Fund said:

Youth unemployment is an issue that threatens the hopes of an entire generation as well as our economic wellbeing. Talent Match promises to help the very hardest to reach young people to make the most of their skills and ambitions, not just as an end goal, but by giving them a say in how the programme itself is designed and put into practice.

The funding announced today is a key step on a very exciting journey as it means the real work can now begin. By bringing together employers and the knowledge of key charities, Talent Match will help ensure today’s young people have the maximum help and support they need to find a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Talent Match and The Prince's Trust

The Prince’s Trust has been awarded £14.5 million to support young people who have been out of work, education or training for more than 12 months. The Trust will focus on areas with high proportions of unemployed young people.

The Prince’s Trust, in partnership with a number of local organisations and together with local young people, will now devise the best ways to support unemployed young people to help boost their confidence and skills, and support them back into the workplace.

John O’Reilly, Director at The Prince’s Trust in Central England says:

"Talent Match will support long-term unemployed young people by matching them with a dedicated advocate who will help boost their confidence and skills, and support them back into the workplace.

The Prince’s Trust and all its partner organisations would like to extend a huge and heartfelt thank you to The Big Lottery Fund for this incredibly generous investment in young people. Last year, three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes moved into work, education or training. We look forward to helping many more as a direct result of this funding.

Sara Rhys, 28, from Brighton took part in a Prince's Trust course. She said:

I think Talent Match is a great idea. Having someone there to mentor you is a huge help and takes the weight off your shoulders when you have lots of questions but don't know who to ask. 

Key areas for Talent Match and The Trust:

  • New Anglia: Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Norwich, Ipswich and Waveney
  • Leicester: Beaumont Leys, New Parks, Braunstone and Rowley Fields and Spinney Hill wards
  • Leicestershire: the North West ward of Greenhill in Leicestershire
  • Lincolnshire: Boston, Skegness, Lincoln and Gainsborough
  • Middlesbrough
  • South East: Medway and Kent Coastal, Hastings, East Sussex Coastal, Southend, Thurrock, Harlow, Basildon and Tendring