Social entrepreneur Kevin Green meets Prince

Social entrepreneur Kevin Green was delighted to give the Prince of Wales first hand feedback on how The Prince’s Trust is helping change lives.

The multi-millionaire from Burry Port was one of a number of businesspeople who met the prince at the youth charity’s new Cardiff centre.

“It was, of course, a great honour to meet the Prince,” said Kevin.

“The enthusiasm that he has for The Prince’s Trust really shines through.

“In recent months, I have been able to see first hand what good work The Prince’s Trust does in Wales.

“As an entrepreneur and businessman, I hope I was able to give the Prince some great feedback on what The Prince’s Trust means to so many people and how it works so hard to help our young people realise their full potential.

“The Prince’s Trust is obviously close to the Prince’s heart and he had some excellent questions about the small part I am trying to play in helping the charity as a supporter of The Prince’s Trust.”

The prince is the youth charity’s Founder and President.

His Royal Highness officially opened the charity’s new Cardiff centre as part of his week-long visit to Wales.

During the visit he met staff, volunteers and young people taking part in a variety of initiatives, including the Enterprise programme, which supports disadvantaged young people into entrepreneurship.

During the official opening, His Royal Highness addressed young people, staff, volunteers and supporters of The Prince’s Trust.

He said: “I hope some of you here today are beginning to benefit in a small way and I am also incredibly proud of the difference the Trust can make to so many lives.”

One of the young people who met the Prince was 27-year-old Sarah Hillier from Pontypool who is about to launch a custom-made teddy business with support from The Prince’s Trust.

The young mum presented His Royal Highness with a custom-made bear created especially for his soon-to-be-born grandchild, the Royal baby.

Sarah decided she wanted to run her own business after running a successful cafeteria at her partner’s workplace.

She had to leave when her husband was made redundant and she found herself unemployed.

Sarah decided to look at opening a cafe business in her native Pontypool but initial market research showed there was too much competition in the area.

Her entrepreneurial spirit meant that Sarah was determined to find an idea that would work, and one day her 9-year-old daughter gave her just that – custom made teddy bears.

Sarah approached The Prince’s Trust’s Enterprise programme for support and attended a four day ‘Explore Enterprise’ course, learning about all aspects of starting and running a business.

Sarah worked hard to source quality suppliers when she received a small grant from The Trust to test her business, she took out space in Pontypool market and to her delight, sold all her products immediately.

Sarah’s business will be launching soon, based in Pontypool market and she is excited about the future.

She said: “The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme has been fantastic. I learned so much about setting up a business from them, and without their support I would not be where I am. I have worked hard and I am confident about my business, knowing I will have the support I need.”

Describing the teddy bear she created for the Royal baby, Sarah said: “The bear is one of my favourite designs and I have chosen a soldier’s outfit for it. I just hope this little bear is fit for a Prince . . . or a Princess!”

The Prince also chatted to young people who are taking part in The Prince’s Trust Fairbridge programme, which supports young people aged 13 – 25 in Cardiff who are struggling, and provides personal development through one-to-one support and group activities.

The Prince’s Trust supports more than 3,500 vulnerable young people in Wales every year, giving them the skills and confidence to find a job. Three in four young people on Prince’s Trust schemes move into work, education or training.

Kevin Green added: “I have been privileged to see the work of the Fairbridge programme in recent months. The project is doing a massive amount of work supporting young people in Cardiff.

“The work of The Prince’s Trust goes on throughout Wales and it is a real eye-opener for me finding out the different ways the charity can help young people. The Prince’s Trust is doing very valuable work and I would urge other people in business to rally around and support its work.”