Annual Review 2004 - The Prince of Wales

The development of xl clubs reflects The
Prince’s determination for The Trust to
remain relevant in the midst of the changing
challenges that young people face. In
particular, he believes that the charity’s
programmes must become more skillsbased,
so that young people can be given
opportunities to “get into” skill areas where
their particular talents can be developed.
These new “get into” programmes will
become increasingly available to young
people involved with The Trust, in areas as
diverse as cooking and construction. Tackling
the national skills shortage is a key aim of
today’s Trust.
Another successful initiative for young
people has been the programmes offering
work experience to young offenders in cities
across the UK, which are run by a partnership
between Business in the Community and
The Prince’s Trust. The success of these
schemes echoes the achievements of BITC’s
programme at Reading Prison, where young
offenders are offered apprenticeships at
National Grid Transco. The apprenticeship
scheme has grown to include more than 90
young offenders, and the recidivism rate,
normally 78 per cent, has been reduced to
just 8 per cent for those on the programme.
Kevin Johnston
Glaswegian Kevin Johnston, winner
of this year’s Prince’s Trust Young
Achiever Award, was just one of
those young men whose lives had
seemingly reached rock bottom. His
is a remarkable story of fortitude and
determination. After a desperately
difficult start in life, he became addicted
to drugs, spent time in prison and,
eventually, having lost contact with his
friends and family, became homeless.
This could have been the final chapter
of an all-too-familiar tale had it not been
for Kevin’s own strength of character
and the support of The Trust.
Kevin took the decision to enrol on one
of the charity’s personal development
programmes, where he not only grew
in self-confidence and developed a
sense of self-worth, but discovered an
aptitude for helping other young people
turn around their lives.
Kevin is now drug-free and is forging
a successful new career in youth-care
work. By deciding to make a difference
in his own community, Kevin has
created what The Prince of Wales calls
a “virtuous circle” – having rebuilt his
own life with The Trust’s help, he is
now determined to make life better
for others.
Far left.
The Prince speaks with
singer Beyoncé during the
reception at the “Fashion
Rocks” concert and
fashion show.
Left.
The Prince meets the pop band
Blazin’ Squad during the ‘Party
in the Park’ event in Hyde Park.
Below.
The Prince is presented with
an Arsenal shirt by club captain
Patrick Vieira as he visits Arsenal
FC’s Highbury stadium in north
London with Kevin Johnston, to
celebrate the sixth anniversary of
The Prince’s Trust Football Initiative.