Following the death of Prince Philip there has been a huge amount of interest in the Prince’s Trust, which was founded in 1976.

And now the achievements of nine local young people who have completed the Trust’s Achieve programme have been marked with an online presentation held by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS).

The youngsters had to complete an eight-week programme consisting of a range of units, including digital skills, interpersonal and self-management skills, personal projects, money management, preparing for a healthy lifestyle, participating in exercise, presentation skills and career planning.

The virtual presentation was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, the High Sheriff of Dorset, Michael Dooley and a number of senior DWFRS officers.

The group members made individual speeches about their time on Achieve before showing off their certificates. During the course, the young people achieved a Level 1 Personal Development and Employability Award, a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety in Catering Certificate, and a Level 1 Award in Personal Money Management.

Debbie Harvey, Prince’s Trust team leader for DWFRS, said: “Since we started, we have seen huge changes in each of our young people. They have developed their confidence to work in groups as well as present on their own; they have begun to appreciate the value of their own individual talents and skills; and they have become a lot more focused on what they want to achieve in the future. The skills and qualifications they have gained throughout the course have put them in an excellent position to stand out to employers, and we wish them every success and happiness for the future.”

Perry, one of the Achieve graduates, said during his presentation: “The skills I’ve acquired through this course, I’d say, are managing my mental health better through the various sources I’ve been given, being more health aware such as the sugar content in food and how council tax works and other complicated issues with money. My hopes with the future are to attend a Higher Education college course starting this September and, in the meantime, work a part-time job. The skills I’d like to keep with me are not putting off the tasks I need to get done, prioritising my time better and just being more efficient.”

Following Government guidelines, the Prince’s Trust Team programme is now able to be delivered face to face and the next course starts on Monday 17 May at the Edith Lyle Hall, West Quay Road in Poole.

If you are aged 16-25 and not in education, employment or training and would like to gain skills and qualifications to help move you into work, please contact Debbie Harvey, Prince’s Trust team leader, on 07500 066134 or email debbie.harvey@dwfire.org.uk.