Prince Charles urges action to stop coronavirus ‘devastating’ young people’s futures and harming ‘the prospects of a generation’
- Prince Charles warns youth problems are the worst since he set up Prince’s Trust
- The charity was founded in 1976, the year Britain had to bailed out by the IMF
- The Prince of Wales has warned young people face ‘homelessness or worse’
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Prince Charles yesterday called for action to stop the virus crisis having a ‘devastating’ effect on young people’s futures.
The Prince of Wales warned that it risked damaging ‘the prospects of a generation’. In a message to the Prince’s Trust, he offered youngsters his ‘heartfelt wishes’ in the crisis.
He said: ‘Young people now need support more than ever. Their future is on the line. But together we can prevent this crisis from defining the prospects of a generation.’
Prince Charles has warned youth unemployment could lead to ‘self-esteem poverty, homelessness or worse’
The Prince’s Trust – which aims to help youngsters find work, training and education – was founded by Charles in 1976, the year Britain had to be bailed out by the IMF.
‘In times of economic hardship it is often young people who are hardest hit and we know many under-25s work in sectors such as hospitality and tourism which have borne the brunt,’ Charles told The Daily Telegraph.
‘We also know the difficulties faced by disrupting education, the loss of entry-level jobs and rising unemployment.
He added: ‘I know only too well that youth unemployment can cause a terrible downward spiral, impacting mental health and leading to challenges such as low self-esteem poverty, homelessness or worse.
‘When I founded my trust 44 years ago, the problems facing young people through unemployment and a lack of support were serious. Now I fear those problems have gone from serious to potentially devastating.’
The Trust is running a virus support service for young people, and has jobs boards and a relief fund to help them.
Youngsters are being encouraged to volunteer in their areas to help with the crisis response. Those feeling anxious and lonely due to the lockdown are being offered support.
Most pupils haven’t returned to school, but for those who have, such as students at a secondary school in Corringham, Essex (above), strict social distancing measures are in place
The Prince’s comments came on the same day 1,500 paediatricians signed an open letter warning the government it needed to get pupils back to school or ‘risk scarring the life chances of a generation of young people,’ according to The Daily Telegraph.
An open letter from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health warns: ‘School is about much more than learning. It is a vital point of contact for public health services, safe-guarding and other initiatives.
‘This includes access to mental health support, vaccinations, special therapies, free school meals, physical activity and early years services that help children get the best start in life.’