• The Trust has supported thousands of young people in Greater Manchester to build the confidence and skills they need for work, training and education in the last year.

• The Prince’s Trust is awarding almost £250,000 through the Future Workforce Fund (FWF) to projects focused on supporting some of the most disadvantaged young people in Greater Manchester.

The Prince’s Trust has marked the first anniversary of the opening of its purpose-built youth centre in Manchester by committing to expand the support it offers to young people across Greater Manchester.

The youth charity has awarded almost £250,000 through the Future Workforce Fund, which it runs in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), to commission projects focused on supporting some of the most disadvantaged young people to build the confidence and skills they need to thrive.

Among these projects is a digital skills programme for 14-18 year olds, and an employability programme for deaf young people.

In addition to these projects, The Prince’s Trust will continue to provide its range of employability and education courses which, amidst the current reality of rising unemployment and economic uncertainty, remain a lifeline for young people across Greater Manchester.

The announcement marks an eventful year since The Trust’s new centre in Ancoats opened. Speaking about the milestone, Andrew Ridge, Director of Operations for the North of England, said:

“Since we first opened our new centre in Manchester just one year ago, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the education and livelihoods of the young people we support. Now, more than ever, young people across Greater Manchester need our help and we are committed to making sure they get the opportunities they need to realise their potential.

“Despite the challenges brought on by the lockdown, we have been able to support more than two thousand local young people in the past year, both in our centre and remotely. The grants we’re awarding through the Future Workforce Fund mean we can be here for even more young people as we look to the difficult times ahead. By working together with local government, employers and communities, we’re determined to make sure young people are not left behind in the wake of recent events.”

Following a temporary closure during the lockdown, the Trust’s centre has now reopened and some socially distanced courses are being delivered on site. The charity’s youth workers and mentors also continue to support young people online and over the phone.

Young person case study

One of the young people The Trust helped during the pandemic is Poppy Richards, 24, from Stockport, who hadn’t worked since 2014 when the pandemic hit.

“I struggle quite badly with mental health problems and lockdown made things more difficult. I’d decided to apply for jobs and there were suddenly lots more people applying for them. Not being able to go out and see people has been very isolating and lonely too. Luckily, I found The Prince’s Trust.”

Poppy took part in a remotely delivered course called Get Started with Health and Social Care in June and successfully secured a job as a Care Assistant through The Prince’s Trust.

If you know a young person who needs support, would like to donate or are interested in finding out about how The Trust works with employers across Greater Manchester, you can contact The Trust on greatermanchester@princes-trust.org.uk.