2020 ESF case study: The Prince’s Trust - Journey to Success
Having taken part in the Journey to Success project delivered by The Princes Trust, this participant has now started a college course and is volunteering with the Prince’s Trust to use the experience gained while on the project to encourage others. The project is part-funded by the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.
Journey to Success offers individually-tailored, flexible support to assist young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The project helps to develop personal, social and employability skills towards employment.
A participant's story
The participant explains how taking part in the programme has helped turn her life around:
“I’m in a better place mentally. Life can still be hard, but I feel like I can cope with it now.”
Last year the participant was in a difficult place. It was the mental health team in hospital who mentioned The Prince’s Trust. Although not knowing what to expect the participant decided to give the Journey to Success programme a go.
The participant explained,
“I had nothing to lose so I thought I might as well go along. As soon as I arrived I felt welcomed by the staff and got chatting to the other people on the programme.
“I did nearly everything that was available. We did outdoor activities like bouldering and I took a few courses that I now have qualifications in, like First Aid and communication skills.
“By far my favourite part of the programme was the staff and the other young people. The staff are so friendly, and nothing is too much trouble. They helped me to get counselling with another charity which really helped me.
“It’s my dream to be a chef and I’ve just started a course at college studying professional cookery. Taking part in the programme really helped turn my life around, I’m now volunteering with The Prince’s Trust because I want to use my experience to encourage people who might be in a similar place to give it a try. You get out of it what you put in, so my advice would be get stuck in!”