The Prince of Wales is not
only passionate about helping the young people of the UK, he is
also rallying support for the growing number of the British
population who are over 50. This segment of men and women in
Britain has felt the sting of redundancy in the workforce.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, the
estimate is that there are 425,000 individuals over 50 who are
unemployed. Speaking at a reception honouring PRIME entrepreneurs
who are part of The Prince’s Trust, Prince Charles told The Daily
Mail that “people feel they have no value anymore and once you’re
made redundant clearly it’s very difficult.”
Started in 1999, PRIME, otherwise known as The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise, is the first nationwide organisation devoted to assisting individuals over 50, who are unemployed or on the verge of redundancy. PRIME provides participants with the necessary tools to accomplish economic and individual success through self-employment.
“I knew when I founded The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise that there were a large number of over 50s who were workless, but was shocked when I discovered the true scale of the issue and challenge,” Prince Charles stated on prime.org.uk.
PRIME has assisted an estimated 25,000 individuals with
financial advice, numerous courses, mentoring, and networking. The
website also offers a host of online resources . “So we aim,
through PRIME, to show that there’s still life in the old dog yet!
And so often we find that over-50s who start their own businesses
actually are more sustainable, in terms of a percentage of the
success rate, than those who are younger,” Prince Charles told the
Daily Mail.
The Prince’s Trust is usually known for its work assisting young
people. Prince Charles, who turns 65 this November, is passionate
in his appeal to assist this often passed over and at risk segment
of society. “Now more than ever, our economy and society needs the
skills and knowledge built up over so many years that older people
have to offer,” Prince Charles continued via prime.org.uk. PRIME is
yet another part of the phenomenal work Prince Charles does through
The Prince’s Trust.
photo credit: Community Spaces Fund via photopin cc
