Princes Trust Programme

Inspired by HRH The Prince of Wales, The Prince’s Trust Team programme enables 16-25 year olds to develop their confidence, motivation and skills through a 12-week course.  The programme is available for both unemployed and employed young people and includes work experience, careers advice and job opportunities, new qualifications, challenging projects, an action-packed team building week away, the chance to make a difference to the community and much more.Two out of three unemployed participants find work or go on to further education or training after completing the programme.  Of those employers whose staff go on the course, 90% report improvements in the skill and attitudes of staff on their return to work.  Over 50,000 people have taken part since the programme was launched in 1990.  This year nearly 1,500 will benefit in theNorth West.Whilst continuing to carry out its function of firefighting and rescue, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is striving to prevent and lessen the impact of fires upon the people of Lancashire. One of the ways through which this can be achieved is through education and developing a closer partnership with local communities.  This brings the Service into contact with young people disadvantaged by unemployment, social deprivation, inequality and ‘fading hope’.

The Prince’s Trust Team Programme aims to develop young people by modifying behaviour and changing attitudes.  This is achieved through working directly with young people, developing them for further education, progression into the workplace or creating opportunities for those already in employment.  This process creates ‘friends’ of the fire service who become socially aware, and respect the dominant social beliefs and values, and can assist with the Fire Service’s aim of reducing the incidence of arson and accidental ignition.  This, in turn, reduces casualties and death by fire thus corresponding with the Service’s primary objective of making Lancashire a safer community. 

On the 1st April 2001 Lancashire Combined Fire Authority entered into a partnership agreement with The Prince’s Trust and became a “Delivery Partner” for the Team Programme inLancashire.

The Programme is delivered by Team Leaders and Support Workers who are Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service staff.

Teams are based in the following locations:

  • Preston
  • Burnley
  • Blackburn
  • Pendle
  • Fleetwood
  • Blackpool
  • Kirkham
  • Morecambe

As stated previously the teams take part in a wide range of challenging activities ranging from a residential week in The Lake District, to a ‘Final Team Challenge’ towards the end of the 12 week programme.  This challenge usually involves the team planning and organising a week of activities for a disadvantaged group from the local community.

The teams choose their own projects and raise the funds to carry them out. The culmination of the programme is when the team gives a presentation to a large invited audience and tell of their background and experiences during the programme. The skills developed on the programme are the very ones employers are looking for, which means people who have completed the programme are more likely to be successful in their search for a job. The employers of our employed participants report improvements in the skills and attitudes of their returning employees.

To find out more information about the work of Fire and Rescue Services and The Prince’s Trust, please click here.

For further information on the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service – The Prince’s Trust please contact: -

  • Bob Gildert – Youth Engagement Manager
  • Kate Huddleston – Programme Co-ordinator (East Lancs)
  • Caroline Hooson - Programme Co-ordinator (West Lancs)

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service – The Prince’s Trust Headquarters
Garstang Rd
Fulwood
Preston
Lancashire
PR2 3LH 

Tel:         01772 866898