Q&A with The Prince’s Trust Team

20th September 2017

Joules has partnered with The Prince’s Trust for just over a year to support young people in Leicestershire to build a better future. The charity helps young people build skills and confidence to move into work, re-engage with education and set up in business. We joined forces with the team to learn more about what they do…

Who is The Prince’s Trust?

Every year, thousands of young people have to deal with the effects of poverty, abuse or neglect. At The Prince’s Trust we believe that every young person should have the chance to succeed regardless of his or her background or circumstances. By working with fantastic partners like Joules we can support young people to take part in life-changing programmes to give them the support they need to stabilise their lives. We work in communities across the UK and in the past year helped over 58,000 vulnerable young people. We are proud that more than 3 in 4 of the young people we help move into jobs, education and training as a direct result of our programmes.

We have ambitious plans to significantly reach more young people who desperately need our help. We want to reach one million young people in the next ten years, changing their lives for the better and by partnering with Joules; their help is helping us achieve this aim.

Last year over 2,300 young people took part in our employability programmes, moving into roles in stores and inspired to start a career in the sector.

How does Joules support The Prince’s Trust?

We have been blown away by the commitment teams have shown to helping vulnerable young people in Joules’ local communities change their lives for the better. Across stores, HQ and the JDC teams have opened their doors and shared their time to give vulnerable young people the opportunity to gain vital employability skills and confidence to take their next steps.

Beyond this, teams have been raising funds to deliver more programmes in Joules’ local communities, helping to equip young people with the experience to change their lives. To date Joules has directly helped 128 young people through local programmes and inspired thousands more. We can’t wait to build on this momentum in the next year, kicking off with Joules Charity Week!

Did you know Idris Elba and Dynamo were both supported by The Prince’s Trust.

Reena’s Story

Reena is a Prince’s Trust programme leader who works across the West Midlands and Manchester to help young people complete our employability courses.

“After joining The Trust as a volunteer in 2013, I then moved to work in our Outcomes team in Birmingham where I supported young people to move into jobs after completing our programmes. I then started working as a Programme Executive, where I support young people through our employability programmes. I am so lucky to work with fantastic partners like Joules who help young people develop their skills and experience to move into jobs in the sector.

I have worked with thousands of young people over the last four years, which has been fantastic! I’m always amazed by the energy and commitment our partners put into programmes, the encouragement they give to young people and the difference this makes.

When I am out shopping and see young people a year on from our retail programmes smiling behind the till or putting out stock it’s brilliant. Nothing beats popping into store and hearing “Hi Reena” from the young people and catching up with the store volunteers – just brilliant!”

To date we have supported over 825,000 vulnerable young people. 

Rachel’s Story

Rachel is a Programme Manager for our Get into Employability programmes across the West Midlands and supports young people to complete courses and move into jobs.

How has The Prince’s Trust impacted you?

“I have worked with young people for over 16 years and feel very privileged to wake up every day and get to do a job I truly love and enjoy! I believe here I have found a job for life and I feel very inspired and motivated by the work of the Trust and the young people we work with. It never fails to amaze me how our programmes can change a young person’s life.”

What’s your favourite thing about The Prince’s Trust?

“The opportunities we provide young people and the confidence and self-esteem they gain in such a short amount of time on a programme. I love seeing the difference in young people from when they join us on the first taster day to celebration.”

Find more about our Charity Week here >