Features

New Starts with New Look & The Prince’s Trust

by Kelly Morris, Guest Writer

A new year is the perfect time for a new start, which is why we’re funding 10 of The Prince’s Trust’s Development Awards 💫.

At New Look, we’re always looking for ways we can help and inspire the next generation. That’s why we began working with The Prince’s Trust way back in 2013, helping them provide opportunities, career guidance, and one-on-one support to ambitious young people in need through CV assistance, mentoring and talks with our leaders.

This year, for the first time, we’re funding 10 Development Awards for 2021-2022. These awards are granted to young people who have completed courses and workshops provided by The Prince’s Trust, giving them the funds they need to get their shiny new careers off the ground — we’re talking financial support for everything from travel expenses and essential equipment to course fees. It’s all to make joining the world of work easier, as well as helping them to achieve their goals and create a better future.

We caught up with three award recipients, Titilope, Bradley and Niah to hear their stories, find out how The Prince’s Trust has helped them and delve into their plans for the future ✨.

Looking for help or advice on your own job opportunity? Get in touch with The Prince’s Trust now.

1. Titilope

Tell us a little about yourself...
"I'm 29 years old. I live in Bromley, South East London and my hobbies include reading Scandinavian crime novels and fantasy, watching anime and reading manga."

You’ve recently been given a Development Award from The Prince’s Trust that’s been funded by New Look — tell us what this means to you and how it’s helped your day-to-day life?
"Receiving the development award from The Prince's Trust meant a lot to me. I had just started a new role, and I couldn't afford the transport costs to get to work before my first pay slip. The award was very welcome as it covered my travel for the first month and saved me having to take a loan or borrow from my friends."

With the help of The Prince’s Trust, you’ve started a new job as a Performance Media Assistant, how are you finding it?
"I am really enjoying my new role as a Performance Media Assistant. Everyone at work has been so welcoming and helpful. The training from the company has been at a steady pace and hasn’t been overwhelming. I've made some new friends at work as well. I'm very happy I was able to get this role and very grateful for all the help from The Prince's Trust."

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
"I see myself in five years’ time at a managerial position at work and also having bought my own place."

2. Bradley

Tell us a little about yourself…
"I am 27 years old, living in North London. I like to play football, go to the gym, socialise with friends, go for walks and also like to listen to podcasts and music. I come from a customer service and retail working background and have higher education qualifications in the field of psychology."

You’ve recently been given a Development Award from The Prince’s Trust that’s been funded by New Look — tell us what this means to you and how it’s helped your day-to-day life?
"Receiving the development award from The Prince’s Trust meant a lot, especially for peace of mind. It was awarded to me for my first month’s travel expenses, so I would not have to worry about trying to get into work until I received my first month’s salary. Knowing that my travel had been covered was very reassuring."

With the help of The Prince’s Trust you were able complete a customer service programme with South Eastern trains and land yourself a new job. How are you enjoying your new role?
  "The new role has been enjoyable so far, especially as I have always wanted to work for a transport service provider. I was so used to being a commuter and it has been insightful to see what representatives of a transport company go through when dealing with customers and providing a service.
In my position there has been lots of theory to take in and then assessments after, which has reminded me of my studies in education. But so far, I have been able to at least pass all the assessments I have taken, so it has not been too stressful.
The focus is always the health and safety of others and this is always echoed in all training and learning, as we all need to be safe when using transport services. It’s been refreshing to see all the different equipment, technology and machines that are used to fulfil roles within the company, too."

Aside from helping you land yourself an exciting new job, how else has The Prince’s Trust impacted your life?
"Aside from helping me to secure my current role, The Prince’s Trust has done two things for me.
It has changed the way I see help. I very much deal with things a lot on my own and have had success from this, but I have realised it is ok to seek help in different ways from different sources. When wanting to get a new job I did not have it in mind to look at completing a course in order to potentially secure a new role.
The second is that it has allowed me to expand my horizons and take on new opportunities that would not have been on my radar before completing the programme. I received great feedback from my placement and while studying at The Prince’s Trust’s South London centre, and it has allowed me to be considered for different opportunities such as this one, so new experiences have become easier to acquire."

3. Niah

Tell us a little about yourself…
"My name is Niah Rose and I'm 23. I've always had an interest in making my own clothes and fashion. As a child I would draw a lot of designs that I wanted to wear for myself, but I didn't know how to sew. I took textiles as an A-level and then I few years later I decided to start sewing seriously and since then it's become my greatest hobby and I love making things and learning new techniques. I'm currently learning how to make shoes."

You’ve recently been given a Development Award from The Prince’s Trust that’s been funded by New Look — tell us what this means to you and how it’s helped your day-to-day life?
"Starting my business through the pandemic has been difficult as I faced different challenges that I wasn't expecting. So receiving the development award was really helpful because I was able to attend a bridalwear course where I learnt how to make a wedding dress. This means that I could expand my skillset and offer new services in my business."

With the help of The Prince’s Trust you’ve been able to expand your fashion business. Tell us more about your brand…
"My brand focuses on well-fitting and unique garments. All my items are made to order and customisable. My brand is about being happy and feeling confident in what you wear, hence the name Teshi which means happiness and laughter. I am also moving towards creating online content so that I can educate other people and help them to find a new passion and express themselves through clothing."

Tell us about a piece you’ve created that you’re most proud of…
"The piece I am currently working on is a replica of Cinderella’s ball gown from the 2015 live action film. I am most proud of this because it has challenged me and has required a lot of patience so far as I've been working on it for three months which is the longest project I've ever taken on. I love how it looks and I feel great when I have tried it on which is what my brand is all about. Another is a dress I made from African wax print fabric this year. It has a full circle skirt and a fitted bodice, and I love the finish and the look of it."

As a budding fashion designer, what’s your favourite trend for SS22?
"I like the fringe trend — I love the movement it creates in garments and how fun it is."