The CEO reflects on 25 years of The Princes Trust Team…

2 December 2015

This week will see us celebrate 25 years of Princes Trust Team. Young Gloucestershire are very proud to have been delivering the team programme for 25 years. Throughout this time we have seen 177 Princes Trust Teams taking place with an average of 12 young people per programme. This means over the 25 years 2124 young people have completed the programme with over 80% of them going into employment or education on completing their time with us.

During this time the young people have spent 127,440 hours on developing projects in their local communities raising over £100,000 to complete the work.

Behind these stats are some really inspiring stories of young people’s lives being turned around. Below is a case study from one of the young people Giles who completed the team programme:

When I decided to postpone my university studies last November I was in a bad way. I felt like I was letting everyone down. I was really disappointed in myself.

“After sixth form I had gone straight onto university. I wanted to work in computer security but when I got there I found it overwhelming living on my own for the first time. My problems with dyslexia became more apparent and developed into anxiety and depression. I felt like I didn’t know myself anymore.

“After I returned home I had no idea what I would do. I was completely lacking in motivation and felt confused. I walked into The Link, YG’s drop in, not really knowing what to expect. After starting the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, run by YG, I realised it was exactly what I needed. The programme helped me to feel normal again. It challenged me, but it also built my confidence back up. It showed me I can do things I never thought I could.

“I know it won’t be easy but my experience at YG has brought me back to life. I feel better prepared and able to cope with all the challenges ahead. Come September, I will be back in the lecture theatre and until then, I will be working for an independent computer security firm; earning money and gaining more experience in the workplace.”

It is stories like this one that keeps YG running the Princes Trust programme to ensure we can support young people to reach their potential.