The Prince’s Trust

Scotmid has a new charity challenge for 2011/2012 – to raise £120,000 for The Prince’s Trust. The money raised will be used to positively transform the lives of 1,200 disadvantaged young people in Scotland, and also in Northern Ireland and the north east of England.

What makes this charity partnership different from the others Scotmid has supported over the years is that staff will be doing much more than raising money. For the first time we will be asking our employees to do some volunteer work for The Prince's Trust such as join a community project, help young people to develop their CV writing and interview skills, or mentor a young person. We will also be asking stores to offer a two week work placement to a young person.

The Prince's Trust, which has Prince Charles at its head, focuses on young people aged 13 to 25 who have struggled at school, are in or leaving care, are long term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. Many of them have faced challenges which would defeat most of us, such as homelessness, violence, poverty, drug and alcohol misuse, ill health, family breakdown and a lack of self esteem.

The money that Scotmid raises will enable the Trust to provide much needed practical and financial support to these young people, giving them the confidence, motivation and skills to get into employment, education or training.

Julie Campbell, Head of Fundraising at The Prince's Trust Scotland commented, "We are delighted to have been nominated as Scotmid's charity of the year for 2011/12. To have the support of an organisation like Scotmid is a tremendous boost for The Prince's Trust and the young people we work with. Scotmid's reach into communities throughout Scotland coupled with the skills the staff will bring as volunteers, provides us with an excellent opportunity this year and it is a partnership I very much look forward to developing."

Where is the money going?

Prince's Trust programmes in Scotland run in schools, local communities and directly with employers to help around 4,500 disadvantaged young people each year to rebuild their lives and realise their potential.

Four out of five young people who completed a Prince's Trust programme go on to get a job or move into further education or training.

£70,000 will help the Trust deliver 70 12-week personal development programmes supporting around 900 unemployed young people into jobs or training.

£50,000 will go toward Development Awards - grants of £50 - £500 to help over 100 young people remove a financial barrier inhibiting their progression to a job or training.

£30,000 will fund 15 school clubs running over a two year period to help 225 13 to 19 year olds who are struggling with their education.