Over the past year, the global pandemic has repeatedly disrupted young people’s education and employment opportunities, not to mention affected their mental health – with the most vulnerable falling further behind. We’ve included some key facts and figures to help you shout about why you are taking on such an important fundraising challenge!
The Prince’s Trust has over 40 years of experience in delivering targeted youth programmes and to date, has now supported over 1 million vulnerable young people to transform their lives. Of those we supported last year, 9% were homeless, 37% had a disability and 37% also had mental health needs.
Our Facing the Future report with the Learning and Work Institute and HSBC in March 2021 found that of all the jobs lost in the UK since the first lockdown, almost two thirds have been among 16-24 year old. They were the first to be furloughed, and then the first to lose their work entirely.
On average, 3 in 4 of the young people we support find a job, reengage with education or training, or start volunteering after taking part in one of our programmes.
Despite the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic, The Prince’s Trust Tesco Youth Index 2021 showed 78% of young people feel hopeful for a better year ahead. So, we’re calling on you to fundraise for young people in your community so we can continue to offer free courses and mentoring support to help them secure jobs or start a business.
52% of young people were employed, self-employed or in an apprenticeship 3 months after our programme.
Of those who launched their own business in 18/19, 80% told us that they were still self-employed 12 months later.
84% of young people felt our early intervention support had increased their opportunities for getting into or staying in education.
Aisha had been working in hospitality for a few years since leaving college, but when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and she was put on furlough, she decided to pursue a career in the NHS and found a role as front of house staff in the vaccine rollout.
“Hospitality is an unpredictable area to work in and I needed to find something more stable. I was looking at getting a nursing degree, but I didn’t have the grades needed for an access course degree. The advert for The Prince’s Trust popped up on Facebook and I thought why not, it seemed the easiest way to find a job in the NHS.”
“I was furloughed from my waitressing job and I needed more than just furlough. I was surviving but I was just getting by and I wanted something new. A lot of my boyfriend’s family work in the NHS, and I know they always need more staff. And of course, we could all see over social media that people were struggling and I just wanted to help.”
Aisha had applied for jobs in the NHS before and had struggled to get her foot in the door. She saw jobs that needed experience which she didn’t have, and she really enjoyed the Get into Health and Social Care programme and getting to know people better.
Aisha has started her role next week as front of house at a vaccination centre. She’d really recommend The Prince’s Trust programme to people looking for a role in the NHS.
“You miss 99% of the chances you don’t take!”
Andrew Briggs has been working as a Prince’s Trust Executive in Belfast for two and a half years. His role involves supporting young people who are unemployed or have been struggling to get their lives on track.
The coronavirus pandemic has left young people all over the UK in freefall. For many young people, the future was already uncertain. Now, having missed out on vital education, training and job opportunities, millions are at risk of being left behind.
Today, the work that Andrew and his team are doing to help young people build confidence and skills, for jobs and training, is more vital than ever.
Andrew said: “It is a privilege to be in a position to play a role in a young person’s life at their time of need. It’s not always easy but seeing someone who was nervous and quiet at the start of a programme flourish and find their path in life makes it all worthwhile.
“Thanks to the funding we receive we can take care of the things that might hold a young person back such as travel costs and childcare, so all they have to do is show up to their course. On our programmes young people receive support from mentors, make new friends, meet potential employers and achieve things they never thought possible.”