Key facts
Area: Northern Ireland
Grant recipient: The Prince's Trust
Project: Get Started with The Prince's Trust
Programme: Reaching Out - Empowering Young People
Date of award: March 2012
Amount awarded: £484,319
Lottery funding will allow The Prince’s Trust to work with young people in Northern Ireland whose lack of self esteem and confidence is impacting on their aspirations and opportunities and could lead them into crime.
The Trust received £484,319 to run training and mentoring courses for young people in east and north Belfast, Craigavon and Newry who have been involved in crime, are leaving care or are not involved in education.
“The young people we will work with are dealing with a range of issues such as a lack of qualifications, low self-esteem and confidence, little motivation or aspirations and a lack of positive role models or support in their lives,” said Mark Dougan, the Trust’s Head of Public Sector Partnerships. “As a result it’s more likely that they will feel isolated from their own communities and believe that no one cares which can lead to anti-social behaviour, drug taking and crime.
“We’re running the project in the chosen areas because they have high levels of isolated and vulnerable young people who need our support. This is about inspiring them to take the next step and get into training or find a job.”
As well as practical course related activities such as drama and music, sport, film and animation, the young people will explore issues affecting their lives such as drugs and alcohol, sexual health and emotional well-being.
“If we can get in early with these young people we really can make a difference to them and give them the skills and opportunities to turn their lives around,” added Mark.
Thomas McKeown, 20, from Carrick, became involved with The Princes Trust three years ago and is now a Young Ambassador. “I had left school and was unemployed,” he said.
“I had no motivation and I thought no one really cared. I wanted to do something creative so I took part in their film production course. I was then offered an internship with a media production company and I’m studying for a BTEC in Creative Media Production. The Prince’s Trust gave me the chance to make something of myself and I’m so grateful for their support.”