Jean Leonardo Mouza 20, Leo to his friends, applied to join the Prince’s trust programme back in the summer.  

“I was at a crossroads in my life, not sure what or where to go next.  I had completed a Carpentry course at another College then an Art course but I was still undecided about my future.  The job I had over the summer was not particularly interesting and I wasn’t really treated very well or paid fully for the work I was doing!  

My Uncle told me about the Prince’s Trust programme and after meeting the tutors at Carshalton College, I started the 12-week course in October.  My initial nervousness at something new and not knowing anyone was thankfully soon overcome as I got to know the other students better.  My tutors Dylan and Michelle were really approachable and helpful too. 

For me the highlights of the course were of course the residential trip where you get to try loads of different activities and some fun team building exercises.  However, most interesting of all was the day we spent in London at the Barclaycard offices.  We practiced interview skills and job application tips and techniques with the staff there.  I found this particularly useful as I am sure it will help me apply for my next job.  Also the community projects we worked on during the course were so rewarding, I never expected that helping out people and working with the elderly was going to affect me in that way, it felt so good.

The Prince’s Trust programme provided me with a lot of new experiences, some lifelong friends, plus I feel more positively about the future”.