Emily's story

Name: Emily

Age: 19 

From: Ryde 

Team: IOW 1 

What were you doing before you started with the Prince’s Trust team programme? 

“I wasn’t doing anything with my life apart from spending too much on going out with my friends, which I knew wasn’t healthy for me. I felt unmotivated and all round pretty rubbish about myself.”  

What made you want to undertake the team programme? 

“I was actually queuing for a nightclub when one of the bouncers told me about the programme and I thought why not try something new, I had nothing to lose and I’m really glad I did.”  

What did you want to gain from undertaking the team programme?  

“I wanted to change my routine, gain a purpose, and make myself a better person. I was also looking forward to the work experience as I had no idea what I wanted to do before the programme.”  

How did you find the Fire Station input to your programme? 

“Ryde Fire Station have been brilliant, they’ve really supported us and put a lot time into helping us. They’ve helped us take the firefighter fitness test, have given home fire safety advice, which has really made me think.  After seeing a film about how quickly a real Christmas tree catch and burn I’ve stopped my family going to bed and leaving the Christmas tree lights on overnight. The firefighters also gave us road safety advice. I hadn’t really thought about my safety on the road or at home before.”  

How do you feel coming to the end of the programme? 

“I feel very proud of myself and very happy, but also feel sad that it’s going to end because I really don’t want it to end. I know I can’t stay on the programme forever, but I have really enjoyed it and I’m going to miss it. I’d love to stay in touch with everyone and keep updated with how everyone is getting on.”  

What’s next?   

“I’m going to apply for a childcare college course for September, which would be for two years, then hopefully followed by a job or apprenticeship to become a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant at a Primary School.”  

What would you say to a friend who was thinking about joining the programme? 

“I’d say just do it because you have nothing to lose and lots to gain, it’s changed my life.  

I didn’t know what I wanted to do before but the support from programme has given me a sense of direction and I’m now very happy. It’s been amazing to meet new people, get out of my comfort zone.  

There are so many different things to do during the course, each week is different. I think it’s an awesome course and I feel so proud it’s come to the Isle of Wight.”

 Read more Prince’s Trust case studies