Case Studies
The Prince's Trust: Making a difference
Ever since the Prince’s Trust was established in 1976 by The Prince of Wales, Britain’s biggest youth charity has been helping some of the country’s most troubled young people make a fresh start in life.
Steve Hardie from Arbroath, is a typical example of the people whose lives have been transformed by the support of the Trust. After struggling for many years with depression, drug abuse, and self-harm and other mental health issues, the 24 year-old approached the Prince’s Trust for help. Like so many others who call on the charity for help, Steve was directed to his local “Team” programme, in his case the one run by Dundee College.
At the college he met like-minded people and began building up enough confidence to make friends and start to think positively about his future The programme inspired him to pursue a career in youth work and he now has a part-time job at a youth drop-in centre in Brechin, a deprived area where many of the young people use drugs.
The job has helped to build Steve’s confidence in the workplace - an important development for a young man who once believed he could never work again. He also volunteers for the local Youth-Link Dundee project, finding the work extremely rewarding as he helps young people who are struggling with life.
To show his appreciation for the Prince’s Trust, he has recently become one of the charity’s Young Ambassadors, a role which involves raising public awareness about the work of the Trust and the importance of giving young people a second chance. He is a great example of what The Prince of Wales calls the “virtuous circle” – if young people can be helped to rebuild their lives they, in turn, can encourage others to do the same and follow in their inspirational footsteps.