Press Release

STAR-STUDDED AWARDS CELEBRATE YOUTH SUCCESS

Thursday, 15 March 2007
HRH The Prince of Wales was joined today (Thursday 15 March) by a host of stars to celebrate the achievements of young people and volunteers at The Prince’s Trust & RBS Celebrate Success Awards.

T4 presenter and Trust ambassador June Sarpong MBE hosted the national awards at the packed auditorium at London’s Barbican Centre. More than 1,600 people attended the ceremony, including Trust ambassadors Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Jerry Hall, Dame Kelly Holmes, Tess Daly and Vernon Kaye, Jeremy Irons and Thandie Newton.  

Among those who received recognition was Kelly Tutton, 27. X Factor winner Leona Lewis presented her with the Young Achiever Award for battling long-term unemployment and depression to become a care officer for young offenders. Leona also entertained the audience with a rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Sharon Osbourne presented Janene Gray, 30, with the RBS Enterprise Award.  Janene overcame a troubled childhood and homelessness, leaving her mentally and emotionally traumatised. But with a loan and mentor from The Trust she set-up StreetScenes, a business helping youth groups to produce films.

Trust ambassador Dame Kelly Holmes said: “Throughout my career I have had to deal with lots of injuries and illnesses. I hit my lowest point a year before the Olympics so I know what the difficulties are in overcoming obstacles to achieve success.  These awards show us all that with the right support and encouragement every young person has the potential to do well.”

The Prince’s Trust & RBS Celebrate Success Awards are a culmination of a series of regional celebration events that took place across the UK at the end of last year.

The Prince of Wales set up The Prince’s Trust because he wanted to help young people in the UK.  The Trust has helped more than 550,000 young people since 1976 and continues to support 100 more young people every day. 

Each of the finalists received a luxurious goody bag provided free by The Sultans of Swag.

The winners of the eight categories are:

RBS Enterprise Award – Recognising young people who have overcome barriers and achieved success in creating a sustainable business.

Winner: Janene Gray – StreetScenes, Bristol
Janene, 30, had a troubled childhood and was homeless at the age of 16, leaving her mentally and emotionally traumatised. But with a loan and mentor from The Trust she set-up StreetScenes, a business helping youth groups to produce films.

Young Achiever of the Year - Celebrating the success of a young person in getting a job and overcoming substantial barriers to get their life back on track after completion of a Trust programme.

Winner: Kelly Tutton, Horfield, Bristol
Kelly, 27, was long-term unemployed and suffering from depression.  It took her two years to contact The Trust and finally gain the confidence she needed to get back on track.  As a result of her hard work at her placement at the Young Offenders Unit, she was offered a full-time job as a residential care officer to young offenders.

LSC Skills Development Award - Recognising the progress of a young person in developing skills to overcome barriers and get into work, training or education through recent participation in a Trust programme.

Winner: Paul Kenny, Manchester
Paul was locked in a spiral of depression, alcohol and petty crime. While staying in a hostel, Paul joined The Trust’s 12-week personal development programme Team, run by Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue.  As well as significantly developing his communication skills, he also gained a Community Sports Leadership Award through The Trust’s Football Initiative.

GE In-School Achiever Award - Recognising a young person who has overcome barriers to engage and achieve more success at school in a Trust xl club.

Winner: Ya Ya Cisse, Derby
Ya Ya was unable to speak English when he first came to the UK and found it difficult to mix with other young people.  The Trust’s xl programme for pupils struggling at school gave him the confidence, motivation and communication skills he needed to do well, make new friends and set up a student led agony aunt service.

ASC Community Impact Award - Recognising the positive contribution of young people to the local community.

Winner: Team 14 Southend YMCA
The team’s educational video, Killer in a Can, on the dangers of solvent abuse proved so successful it has been shown on national TV and used in schools across the country.  The eleven-strong group raised the £800 film budget in under three weeks as part of a 12-week Prince’s Trust course to help develop new skills and find work.

The Prince’s Trust’s Construction & Business Group Leadership Award - Recognising the contribution of individuals, who lead groups, eg. Team leaders, xl advisors, in the development of young people supported by The Trust.

Winner: Cheryl Powell, Plymouth
Cheryl has helped more than 50 local unemployed young people develop new skills and find work. Her honesty about her own drug addiction history, together with her success to motivate, proved an inspirational combination for encouraging other young people to challenge themselves.

Xansa Volunteer Award - Recognising the contribution of a mentor or volunteer in supporting young people.

Winner: Monica Wilson, St Albans
Monica has been passionately involved with The Prince’s Trust for over seven years. As a business mentor, she has provided support and guidance to help three young people set-up in business. She has also helped her colleagues at Capgemini raise more than £350,000 for the youth charity.

Partnership Innovation Award - Recognising innovation and exception contribution of partner organisations

Winner: Marks & Spencer
Hundreds of unemployed 16-to 25-year-olds have gone onto work placements and jobs with the high street retailer since the partnership with The Prince’s Trust was launched in 2004.