THE Prince’s Trust charity has transformed the life of Vicky Greatbanks from an under-confident victim into an outreach executive who helps unemployed young people across Bolton find a meaningful life.

The 28-year-old has turned her life around after she was helped by the Trust, first enrolling on a 12-week personal development course before she was trained in public speaking and leadership.

Ms Greatbanks was recruited as a Prince’s Trust job ambassador before being appointed to her current role. She has also been named runner-up in the BAE Systems Young Ambassador of the Year award at the Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards North West final.

Just months before starting a nursing course, she was attacked and left with a broken arm. She later suffered a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. She sunk deeper into depression, was too scared to work, lost weight and could not eat or sleep properly.

She heard about the Prince’s Trust, got in touch and her new life began. She said: “The Prince’s Trust gave me the confidence and motivation to get up and tell my story. It’s something I really like doing, it helps break down the stigma of mental illness and inspires other young people.

“For me, there is no better feeling than knowing you made a little bit of a difference.”

Last year, the Prince’s Trust helped 6,330 young people in the North West, 270 in Bolton.

Currently, 26 per cent of young people in Bolton struggling to find work.

The Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Newsquest which owns The Bolton News, has joined forces with the Trust to help provide start-up grants to young people aged 18 to 30 to launch their own business.

Contact the Trust on 01282 792461 .