Naadirah had her confidence eaten away by unemployment after an injury meant she had to leave her job. She signed onto Jobseeker’s Allowance, yet a quick return to work never materialised and she began to lose belief in herself.

"In 2015 I had to leave my retail job because I had a problem with my knee. My bosses weren’t very supportive. They put me on the tills and gave me a chair, but after a week they put me back onto the shop floor. No one seemed to understand how difficult it was for me just to get through each day."

"All I wanted to do was get back to work. When I signed on to Jobseeker’s Allowance I wanted to move forward quickly but I didn’t receive the support I needed. No one was listening to me. I lost a lot of my confidence."

I found myself in a hole and I thought there was no way out.  

"One day at the Job Centre I saw a leaflet for an employment course with The Prince’s Trust. I thought at least I’ll be doing something with my time! It was the first time since the unemployment that I felt a bit happy."

"I was really nervous, but I met the tutor and he put me at ease straight away. It was out of my comfort zone but I really enjoyed it. As the course went on I felt more confident and motivated. It was an amazing opportunity that helped me learn new skills and start believing in myself a lot more. It gave me my spark back."

I was unemployed for over a year. I thought I was useless. 

"I learned a lot about myself. I had been really quiet, really shy, but I learned I had much more confidence than I thought. I think I was stuck in that loop because people assumed that’s who I was."

"At the end of the course we had a celebration event where I was introduced to two amazing mentors, Paula and Shân. We talked about what I wanted in life, the things that were holding me back, and what I could do to move forward. I focused on my personal development and self-belief. Through them I got the chance to go on a short course with the BBC and work at Leicester City Council. I recently graduated from a Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship. Paula and Shân were there cheering me on! I was so proud."

The Prince’s Trust helped me find who I am as a person.

"I’m now working full time at a call centre. I love it there! I’ve also been volunteering to help other young people who are struggling with the same things I was. It feels really great to help them because I can see myself in them."

"I feel a lot more confident. I feel like I can take on whatever challenges come at me. I don’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing without The Prince’s Trust, and without people who believed that I had something to offer."

Your support ...

  • Helps young people like Naadirah live independently, and deal confidently with life’s challenges
  • Allows young people to continue learning, like Naadirah did on her apprenticeship
  • Means young people like Naadirah have the skills they need to earn a living