Alice is aged 18 and was studying psychology, photography and criminology at college, when she was hit by a crisis, which meant she couldn’t carry on. It affected her so deeply that for the next few months, she hardly left the house. It was Alice’s mental health support worker who mentioned that the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, run in Leigh by Groundwork. Alice says that in just a couple of months, the programme has completely transformed her life.
Read her inspiring story below:
I had no motivation and no self-worth because I did nothing.
‘Before starting the Prince’s Trust programme I felt lost, because I didn’t have anyone apart from my parents and my brother. I had no motivation and no self-worth because I did nothing. For a couple of weeks on the programme I wouldn’t speak to anyone. I was very closed off. But when I saw a couple of people who were shy, I said to myself ‘I’m here to make friends’ and I went and spoke to them. Now the people on the programme are my main friends that I speak to on a daily basis.’
I now feel a lot better. I’ve rediscovered the confidence I’d lost.
‘I feel like I belong here and that I don’t have to bend and break myself to fit in. They just accept me for being me and that’s what I feel happiest about. I wasn’t going to join the programme because of how bad a spot I was in. The Prince’s Trust programme helped me to realise I actually had all the tools I needed. I met other people who were struggling like I was and that I wasn’t alone. The programme helps you to connect to people and that’s what we all need. We all need that connection and some people don’t have anything.’
The future
‘I’m not entirely sure what I am going to do. I am planning to get a job, or perhaps join my mum as an eBay reseller. Or if that doesn’t work out, just see where everything takes me and what opportunities come up. I feel I am now in such a better place. I feel happy for once, which is good.’
Find out more
If you, or someone you know lives in Chorley, Leigh, or Wigan is aged 16-25 and might benefit from the programme, click the link below:
