The Princes Trust Awards

 

Hey guys!

So I’ve been working with the Princes Trust for some time now and I wanted to give a little insight into the award ceremony. Last year I was in attendance but I wasn’t really sure as to how report on it so I did a little blog about the Little x Little campaign I did instead here.

Firstly, I was shocked looking at last years images because I have lost so much weight in comparison to that photo haha! But that is not at all what these awards are about. The ceremony puts light on many of the young people involved in their various support schemes around the world. I did the Enterprise program when I was in school, I did the Brighton program and it was pretty excellent. It taught me how to construct a business plan and in this era, I think that information is integral to building a foundation in your work. They really have an amazing global system of help, not just in the UK but in loads of countries through the Common Wealth and America.

Most of the programs are run by volunteers and there are a lot of famous faces as spokes people. I have become friends with all the digital ambassadors so I’m really grateful to even be a part of it, but it’s an amazing organisation and I have to shout out the people who I’ve met along the way behind the scenes, as there’s been a massive amount of support to each of us as well. I was a bit nervous to go, I’ve had a bit of an accident with my jaw so I was really spaced out that day on pain medication. I was also dubious about going with the concerns around the Corona virus but I still attended and it was just an amazing array of beautiful young people who’ve overcome a multitude of difficult situations to get into work.

I thought it was really interesting seeing Ant and Dec back as last year it was Phillip Scofield and Fearne Cotton, so they really had a joke for every sad moment and it made the day feel so positive and it actually motivated me. I always underestimate how similar people are, we often forget that even though we’re all different walks of life we each have the same concerns. When I was a kid, my gender identity prevented me getting work and I had to find a way to learn to do it myself. There’s loads of people in the same set up but for different reasons and I think when you talk about stories, and you show how people frorm all over the world experience it then you realise the commonality. There was young one man from the West Indies and he was brought to the Police Station Hub to introduce him to the Princes Trust ambassadors there, he thought that he was being set up but the support given by the volunteers enabled him to build his own business. So it was really an amazing insight because he was fearful of being typecast too.

There was a performance by Craig David and loads of amazing presenters. I definitely think the stand outs were the award winners that had some part as volunteers, there was a lady from Wales who was helping out by talking to the young people learning to cook on their program there, the kindness and interest she offered really had a lot of impact and it just goes to show how wonderful simple things like that can be.

Definitely check out the Princes Trust and all they do here.

 
Joseph HarwoodGrowth