In 2026, The King’s Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust, celebrated 50 years of working for young people and in that time, it has supported more than 1.3 million with the skills and confidence they need to find employment and work. The Trust offers courses, resources and support to 11- to 30-year-olds aimed at developing essential life skills and preparing them for work to give them the much needed first step towards a fulfilling and stable career. Young people today are faced with many challenges when it comes to finding work which is why the support offered by the King’s Trust matters now more than ever.
The Barbour Foundation has been supporting the north east arm of the King’s Trust through their Enterprise programme which has enabled 60 young people this year alone to explore business ideas, build entrepreneurial skills and gain a greater understanding of the world of work. The programme is delivered 1 to 1 and pairs young entrepreneurs with industry experts to turn their ambitions into reality. The outcome of this programme last year has been 26 new businesses being launched which have involved the help and work of 492 young people across the region.
Through the Enterprise programme in the North-East, one participant, Michael, has transformed a personal passion into an ambitious business with the potential to create opportunities for others. Michael first turned to Muay Thai at a difficult point in his life. Struggling with anxiety and depression, he found that the discipline, structure and focus of the sport helped him regain confidence and direction. What began as a way to support his mental health soon inspired a business idea rooted in his own experience. Michael began by promoting fights before going on to host events himself. As his confidence and experience grew, the events developed beyond sport, bringing together entertainment such as DJs, stand-up comedians and magicians. This helped Michael see a broader future for his business, combining fight events with music, comedy and production.
Support from The Trust’s Enterprise programme gave Michael the practical knowledge and confidence he needed to strengthen his plans. Through the programme, he developed a sustainable business plan and built his understanding of finance, cashflow, tax and other essentials for running a viable enterprise. The support also helped Michael set clear goals and stay focused on achieving them. A grant enabled him to test trade gym clothing, giving him valuable insight into his customers and helping him improve that part of the business.
