The coronation of King Charles will take place on Saturday, with millions set to watch the ceremony across the world.
As the monarch prepares for the historic occasion, we take a look at the work of The Prince's Trust, which was founded in 1976 by King Charles when he was The Prince of Wales. Since its launch, the charity has helped more than a million young people in the UK.
The Trust helps youngsters who face disadvantage or adversity by supporting them to find work, start businesses, or gain vital education and training. Around three in four young people on Prince’s Trust programmes move into work, education or training.
Read More: King Charles III: What to expect during the Westminster Abbey coronation
Here, we meet just some of the North East people who have transformed their lives thanks to The Prince's Trust. You can read more about the charity here.
Holly Sadler
Holly Sadler hadn’t worked for five years because of her struggles with mental health.
But the 25-year-old, from Sunderland, is now working as a hospital porter and a healthcare assistant at Sunderland Royal Hospital. She secured her employment with the help of The Prince’s Trust.
She said: "I've suffered from anxiety and depression from a very young age. Just before the pandemic started, I’d only just gotten used to going out to public places and visiting friends and family.
"When we went into lockdown, I fell back into my old ways and couldn’t see a way forward. I cut myself off from my friends and family and was stuck between the same four walls day in and day out, feeling trapped, lonely, and helpless.
"I was scrolling through Facebook one day when I came across a Prince's Trust advert for the Kickstart Scheme. I’ve always wanted to work for the NHS, but my mental health prevented it. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and gave the course a go."
Holly spent a week on a pre-Kickstart employability course with The Prince’s Trust to help build her confidence and skills before interviewing for a role. She explained: "I spent a week on video calls with The Prince’s Trust gaining new skills, writing a CV, applying for job vacancies, and working on my confidence.
"It really helped my mental health having something to do every day, and The Prince’s Trust youth support workers were friendly and understanding. Shortly after this support, I was given two job interviews with the NHS.
"After my interviews, The Prince's Trust kept in contact with me about job applications and interviews, and even offered me other short courses to gain new skills that would enhance my CV. I have now been working as a hospital porter since October 2021, and I’ve loved it.
"My work colleagues have made me feel so welcome, and if it wasn't for their support, I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to stay after the first week. Recently, I have also been successful in getting a job as a healthcare assistant, which I am over the moon about.
"I now have a new lease on life, and I can’t wait to see where my journey will take me. I can’t thank The Prince's Trust and Sunderland Royal Hospital enough for all the help and support I have been given to get to where I am today."
Jacqueline Harrison Parker
Interior designer Jacqueline Harrison Parker says she had a tough childhood and had difficulties in school but she was able to turn her life around.
The 24-year-old, from North Tyneside, came to The Prince’s Trust in April 2022 to set up Tyne Interior Design – an online interior design service accessible to all, which creates personalised home interiors based on the specifications required. She said: "Growing up, I had a tough childhood which led to difficulties in education, as I was unable to concentrate at school and experienced homelessness from quite a young age.
"Despite this, it made me more motivated to succeed and not let those experiences determine my future. I noticed that there were limited opportunities for interior designers, and I struggled to find employment in my field.
"This really knocked my confidence, but interior design is my passion so, instead, I decided to create my own opportunity. That’s when I came to The Prince’s Trust and enrolled on to the Enterprise programme."
On the course, Jacqueline learnt about the foundations of building a business and had one-to-one sessions. They discussed things like cashflow and finances, and she was given guidance on how to improve those aspects of her business.
"With the help of The Prince’s Trust, I was able to devise a successful five-year business plan," she added. "I now have a clear vision for my business and know what I need to strive towards.
"I’ve recently also been paired with a business mentor which is great, as it really helps having an expert to go to advice for. The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme not only gave me support to build my own business, but also improved my confidence in myself and my entrepreneurial skills.
"Along with the support from my boyfriend and our family, I am very excited about the future and making the business a success. And I am looking forward to one day being able to provide work opportunities for other people.
"No matter what situation you’re in currently, it doesn’t determine who you are as a person or your future. And The Prince’s Trust is always there to help you with that."
James Tyer
James Tyer lost his marketing and sales job in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
The 31-year-old, from Newcastle, tried to set up his own courier service in 2020 but a cycling accident set him back and knocked his confidence. James then came to The Prince’s Trust in January 2021 and completed the Enterprise programme which helped him transform his business ideas into a reality.
He now runs Bud Couriers, a cargo bike delivery company in Newcastle. He said: "I was at a low point when a cycling accident forced me to put my plans on hold.
"But then I discovered The Prince's Trust Enterprise Course through an advert, and it gave me the foundation I needed to transform my business into a thriving success. At the time, I was looking for a helping hand to develop my business idea, and I thought The Trust might be able to provide me with some templates and guidance. Little did I know that The Trust would become my biggest ally in my journey as an entrepreneur."
The course gave him the knowledge and tools he needed for his business. It covered everything from the basics of finance and marketing to the more advanced topics of business strategy and scaling up.
"I worked with some incredible mentors who provided me with the guidance and support I needed to navigate the challenges of starting a business," said James. "They helped me to develop my business idea, refine my strategy, and overcome any obstacles I encountered along the way. Thanks to their support, I was able to turn my initial setback into an opportunity to learn and grow as an entrepreneur."
James further added: "I'm proud to say that my business is moving in the right direction. We now have a team of three riders, over 20 active customers, and we're looking to hire one more. Our aim now is to scale further by finding larger enterprises to work with and building up the density of deliveries in Newcastle.
"It's been a challenging journey, but I'm confident that we have the skills and resources we need to continue growing and expanding our business. To all the young entrepreneurs out there, I want to say that perfection is the enemy of progress. Don't wait until everything is perfect before you start your business.
"Start small, start messy, and learn as you go. Remember that it's okay to make mistakes and encounter obstacles along the way. That's how we learn and grow as entrepreneurs.
"And most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help. Organisations like The Prince's Trust are here to support you every step of the way and help you turn your dreams into a reality."
Brian Goodman
Brian Goodman had been struggling with unemployment when he came to The Prince’s Trust.
However, the 24-year-old, from Hebburn, is now thriving in his job as a customer contact adviser within the NHS. His role came after he completed a health and social care mentoring programme as well as a Get Started in Health and Social Care course with the charity.
Brian said: "I struggled with unemployment for around five months after I lost my job as a laboratory support worker. I sent loads of applications but often got no feedback.
"That had a toll on me mentally as I was given no direction on how to improve. I thought something was wrong with me."
After finding The Prince’s Trust through a Facebook ad in late August 2022 and completing the courses, Brian was successful in landing a role within the NHS. He said: "The Prince’s Trust has given me immense support.
"My mentors and I would chat over Teams about career planning and worked on improving my CV to be the best it could be. All this was immensely helpful, and I received great practical support.
"They also supported me throughout the whole interview process and built up my confidence through mock interviews. I came away from the experience knowing my strengths and how to apply them.
"I've always wanted to work with and help people, so I am really grateful to have gotten this job and am thankful to The Trust for supporting me along the way. It’s also great to see the fruits of my labour as all the hard work that I’ve put in finally paid off.
"To other young people out there I’d say make sure to always have your head up. Organisations like The Prince’s Trust provide invaluable experience and support and are there to help you."
Megan Whittaker
Megan Whittaker struggled to maintain employment due to a disability which impacts her communication skills.
Her love of animals, combined with her experience, led her on a journey of self-employment and in August 2021 she came to The Prince’s Trust to set up her dog walking business Megan’s Dog Trails. The 27-year-old, from Hetton-le-Hole, said: "Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved animals especially dogs.
"I studied animal care at college and had jobs as a shop assistant in a pet store, and a dog groomer assistant. I struggled to stay in employment due to my disability, but I didn’t want this to hold me back, so I started working on my communication skills.
"I also considered being self-employed as I could work for myself on my own terms. That’s when I came to The Prince’s Trust and enrolled on to the Enterprise course.
"The course really helped me understand what I needed to do to be able to work for myself and run my own business. I had one-to-one meetings with staff who helped me devise a business plan and a viable cash flow to ensure to my finances were in order.
"I was completely in the dark about all of this before coming to The Trust, but the staff were really supportive and encouraging. I also received a ‘Will it Work Grant’, which helped me buy new dog leads, treats, and equipment to help me test by business idea.
"I now run my professional dog walking business from home and provide services to customers based in the Hetton-le-Hole area. In the future, I am looking to expand my business to doggy day care.
"The Prince’s Trust Enterprise course helped me find confidence in myself, professionally and personally, and has enabled me to do what I love for a living."
Shannon Thackray
Shannon Thackray struggled with mental health whilst at college and then left education in 2018 to become a full-time carer for her father.
The 21-year-old, from Darlington, is now thriving as an enabling support worker after completing a Get Started in Health and Social Care programme with The Prince’s Trust. She said: "I struggled with my mental health and I isolated myself a lot.
"It got to the point where I did not want to talk to anyone. My dad then got very unwell, after a cancer diagnosis, so I became his carer for around four years.
"After my dad got better, I started to look for jobs but being out of education and work for four years I felt very lost. I applied for all sorts of jobs, but never heard back from any of them which was frustrating."
Shannon approached The Prince’s Trust following a recommendation by her job coach and enrolled on to the Get Started in Health and Social Care programme in August 2022. She said: "I liked the thought of being a support worker, so thought why not give it a try.
"We had a few online sessions explaining everything about the job role, and then did a mock interview to prepare us for the real thing which was really helpful. I got the job a few days later."
She further said: "Before The Prince’s Trust, I was the quietest and shiest person you’d ever meet, but this job has encouraged me to come out of my shell and interact with others, which has really boosted my confidence.
"In my role every day is different, and I find this variety exciting. After The Prince’s Trust programme, I’m not only a more confident and outgoing person but I am now in a job and have the direction I was looking for in life.
"To other young people, I’d say the most important thing is to persevere. There were many moments during this process that I thought about giving up, but in the end, it was all worth it."
Read Next:
Coronation Concert line-up announced including Tom Cruise, Bear Grylls and Oti Mabuse
How to watch King Charles' coronation on TV and key timings for the day
Map of The Big Lunch venues in Newcastle and the North East to mark King Charles III coronation
Things to do around the Newcastle and the North East to celebrate the Coronation
Sweet photo shows Prince Louis being pushed in wheelbarrow by mum as he turns five
