People who were 46 years ago by King Charles III. founded charity, say it has changed her life. The Prince’s Trust was set up in 1976 by the then Prince of Wales to help people aged 11 to 30 who were unemployed or struggling in school and at risk of exclusion. The BBC spoke to some of those who credit the charity with giving them a chance others didn’t have.
Ben Gutteridge, from Northampton, was in foster care when he was 15 and two years later served 15 months in prison for assault.
He then met Prince’s Trust mentor Paul Hamblin at a homeless shelter in the city and was convinced the charity could help him.
“If it weren’t for the course or Paul Hamblin, I would be either in jail or dead right now because I never would have changed my life,” he says.
“The Trust gave me the opportunity to see my potential and where I could go with my life and how much I could achieve.”
After leaving the Trust course he had a successful career in logistics and warehousing and now volunteers for the charity.
He says if he could say one thing to the new king, it would be “thank you”.
“He funded it with his own money in the beginning and now it’s such a success,” he says.
Festus Akinbusoye, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, says he was helped by the Prince’s Trust when he was 22.
“I graduated from university and, like many up-and-coming young, ambitious people, I imagined that I could just get a job,” he says.
“After applying for several jobs, I just couldn’t get ahead, so I decided to start a business.
“I remember approaching several banks and none of them were interested in touching me. I didn’t give up, so I looked in the Yellow Pages and came across the Prince’s Trust.
“I called them and they referred me to a local office. I was unanimously supported by the jury and they gave me a business mentor who I am still in touch with.
“It was really a turning point for me – I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Prince’s Trust and the mentor they gave me.”
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Mr. Akinbusoye says the cinema risk and security management services business he founded has grown from four to 60 employees in 10 years.
“My experience with the Trust over the years is that they continue to do a tremendous job to support the most vulnerable young people in the country,” he says.
“May it go on like this for a long time.”
Originally from Essex and now based in Hertfordshire, jewelery designer Alex Angle-Benscher was able to build his business thanks to a grant and coaching from the Trust.
His jewelry company, which gives back a portion of profits to educational programs, sells online and in 85 stores.
He says the trust backed his idea even though he had no capital behind it.
He says: “They not only coached me to write a business plan, they gave me mentoring, which I still have today, which is as important as the money they loaned me.
“King Charles opened so many doors for so many of my generation, and he didn’t have to.
“The fact that he has given this opportunity and has already changed the lives of so many will be really exciting to see what he does as king.”
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