People from across the UK are getting set to help young people as part of a fundraising challenge from youth charity The Prince’s Trust.
Future Steps, supported by Capgemini in the UK, is a 10,000-steps-a-day challenge to raise funds for The Prince’s Trust, taking place throughout the month of February. Teams of up to six people can take part, or individuals can set themselves a personal challenge to both improve fitness and raise vital funds for the charity. Capgemini is helping develop the App that makes the challenge as successful as possible.
As the effects of the pandemic continue to disrupt young people’s access to education, training and work, the funds raised during the campaign will help The Trust be there for more young people, at a time when that support is needed more than ever.
“Things are on the up”
Kieran Bond, 26, from Leicester is helping raise vital funds for The Prince’s Trust through the challenge to help support more young people like him. The Prince’s Trust supported Kieran to set up his own businesses in 2019.
“I heard about The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme through a Facebook ad. It was just what I needed to get my career back on track. I had just left university and struggled to get a job, of any kind. From September to November 2018, I did 89 interviews and applied for hundreds of jobs but I never got a job. I think it may have been because I am autistic and don’t come across great in interviews. This really knocked my confidence and caused my mental health to get way worse than it was.”
Kieran’s first business Kern and Bond, which he launched in 2019, showcases his graphic design skills and offers clients the opportunity to brand their businesses. He launched his second business, Katchee Gifts, the following year. Katchee Gifts is an online gift shop, offering uplifting accessories and stationery. Both businesses have been supported through The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme.
“I now feel more positive. Things are on the up after the last three years of trying to build a small business during a pandemic. I have done a lot of personal growth in that time, so I’m hoping my businesses will continue to develop.”
Speaking about taking on the Future Steps challenge, Kieran added:
It won’t be easy to squeeze 10,000 steps in around my busy schedule, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully reaching other young people like me who could benefit from support from The Prince’s Trust.
Director of Partnerships at The Prince’s Trust, Ben Marson said:
We are so delighted to have young people like Kieran taking part in the Future Steps challenge. To see those who have been supported by The Trust give their time and energy to raise more funds is a source of great pride.
We are incredibly grateful to Capgemini for sponsoring Future Steps, and for their expertise in developing the App. All the funds raised are vital in helping us to support more young people like Kieran, giving them the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to have positive futures.
Capgemini’s Managing Director in the UK, Paul Margetts, said:
Nurturing the next generation of talent and building an inclusive and diverse workforce is a priority for us at Capgemini. We are focused on upskilling individuals to arm them with skills that will help shape their future, while also looking at how we can use our own expertise to help charitable organisations build digital capabilities.
We are delighted to continue our support of The Prince’s Trust with the development of the Future Steps App and our team members are also looking forward to taking part in the challenge itself!
To find out more about the challenge and register, visit our Future Steps hub.
