Kate joined double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, president and founder of the Kelly Holmes Trust, and Love Island star Zara McDermott to listen to the experiences of young people taking part in the Trust’s programmes.
At the event in Percy Community Centre in Bath, young women who are taking part in the On Track to Achieve programme, told the Princess about their thoughts on some of the challenges that young people face today and how youth work programmes can help boost confidence and mental wellbeing.
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The wellbeing programme pairs 11- to 19-year-old with athlete mentors to help improve confidence and resilience.
Olivia, a young person who attended the event, spoke about her love of English Literature at school, but added: “I want to put lots of effort in to English, but I don’t always feel confident to do that.
“Some people have the power to do the things they want, but some don’t – if you can help people to have more confidence, they will do more.”
Visiting the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust social and emotional mental health programme at the Percy Community Centre in Bath today to mark #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek with #ShapingUs champion Zara McDermott.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 16, 2023
Thank you to the incredible young women from St Katherine’s School in… pic.twitter.com/6t9zfno0T9
The Kelly Holmes Trust highlighted research from the Prince’s Trust Youth Index which finds that 64 per cent of young people asked said they feel they can overcome the challenges they face but need practical support to build their confidence and skills.
Holmes said: “I believe strongly that every young person should have the chance to be the best version of themselves. To do that they need confidence, resilience and self-esteem, and this is the core of everything we do at my charity.”
The visit took place to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May).
