A leading youth charity is offering grants of up to £500 to unemployed young people in Wales who need financial help to get into education, work or training.
The Prince’s Trust Development Awards give people aged between 14 and 25 cash grants to help with specific costs related to getting back to work or on a training course.
To be eligible, people must be aged 16 to 25 and not in work or training, or working less than 16 hours a week. 14 to 16 year olds who are at risk of achieving fewer than five GCSEs can also apply.
The grants can be used to help fund training fees, equipment, tools and other expenses needed for work or training. The amounts awarded will range from £50 – £500 depending on circumstances, with the average award being around £180.
Director of The Prince’s Trust Cymru, Lesley Kirkpatrick, said: “We meet young people every day who are desperate to work, but don’t have the money to pay for travel costs, work clothes or the equipment they need.
“Prince’s Trust Development Awards are vital in helping vulnerable young people to turn their lives around. At a time when youth unemployment is high, it’s more important than ever to give these disadvantaged youngsters the long-term support they need to find work.”
The Prince’s Trust helps young people who need support to turn their lives around. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust’s programmes move into work, education or training.
Further information about the Development Awards can be obtained by calling 029 20431500.
I like the idea. I think it's fantastic that we are encouraging people to get back to work but unfortunately a £500 grant is not enough. With inflation, fuel bills, food costs and everything else, it's going to cost a lot more. Giving £500 to such people here is like giving a homeless man £5. It's hardly life saving and may just see him through the day,