Teenager praises 'life-changing' Prince's Trust scheme

Members of the Prince’s Trust with their certificates at a recent graduation ceremony at Rotherham Town Hall attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Cllr Alan and Mrs Sandra Buckley, Andrew Coombe, Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire and leaders of the Prince’s Trust team. Ebony Willis is front row second from right and Jack Jones is pictured middle row first left.

Jack Jones (18) was one of 12 young people who took part in the 12-week Prince’s Trust scheme.

He revealed he has now been offered a job in the security sector thanks to going through the programme for under-25s.

“I started looking for jobs, but struggled to secure one due to my various physical and mental disabilities and it really got me down,” Jack explained.

“But I found out about the Prince’s Trust programme and decided to go for it — it’s the best thing I’ve ever done."

Jack, of Oakdale Road, Rotherham, said he would “definitely recommend the scheme to others”.

All of the young people on the course, who graduated just before Christmas, had experienced difficulties such as mental health issues, bullying, disability and ill health — but all said the scheme had changed their life.

Most were terrified of speaking in public, but faced their fears to share their stories and their personal journeys during an emotional graudation ceremony at Rotherham Town Hall.

Among them was Ebony Willis (16), of Shenstone Drive, Rotherham, who said her social worker had encouraged her to take part in the programme.

“I was very scared walking into the room on my first day, not knowing anyone,” Ebony added.

“But now I finally feel like I can get up and talk in front of people and it’s all thanks to this programme.

“It has truly changed my life.”

As part of the programme, the young people took on a community project and built a viewing platform at the RSPB Centre at Old Moor in Manvers and tidied up the area.

They also did work experience and enjoyed a residential week in Derbyshire.

John Daley, team leader for the Prince’s Trust programme, said it had been “awe-inspiring” to see the individuals learn and grow and that they should all be incredibly proud of what they had achieved.

This is the first time in three years that individuals from both Rotherham and Barnsley joined together to take part in the scheme.

It is also the only Prince’s Trust scheme in the country where two emergency services — South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and South Yorkshire Police — deliver the programme in a joint collaboration.

Following the presentation of certificates, Lord Lieutenant Andrew Coombe, said: “This to me is one of the most important duties of days of my year and it has been a privilege to listen to you great people and hear all about your journeys.

“You are all winners and it is remarkable what you have done over the last 12 weeks.”