Fifty young entrepreneurs, who beat unemployment with help from youth charity The Prince’s Trust, will be showcasing their achievements at a summer fair next week.
Businesses taking part in Thursday’s fair in Bristol Cathedral will include bakers, fashion designers and artists. There will also be performances from talented young musicians alongside yoga workshops, screen printing demos and craft activities for children. 
All of the young entrepreneurs have taken part in The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme, which helps unemployed young people interested in self-employment explore and test their ideas, write plans and start their own business.
One in six young people in Bristol are struggling to find work, but The Prince’s Trust is able to help young people with a business idea to create their own jobs.
Among those supported by The Prince’s Trust is Abbi Lee, 30, from Filton. She was involved in an accident which left her with a functional cognitive disorder as a result of which she suffers from sensory difficulties such as hypersensitive hearing, difficulty processing information and sensory overload.
Her disorder meant she could not manage the stresses and strains of employment and she was also experiencing depression and struggling to see a future for herself.
After being out of work for more than a year, Abbi approached The Prince’s Trust looking for support with her business and enrolled on the Enterprise programme.
She has since launched Sensory Oojamobobs, which provides a selection of chewy jewellery and fiddly toys for children and adults with sensory needs.
Abbi said: “Being long-term unemployed for the first time in my life was really difficult. I had financial worries and not much to feel good about.
“The Trust has been massively helpful; their support has given me the confidence and direction which I just didn’t have before I started. I feel like I now have the skills and expertise to take my business forward and I’m excited about the future.”
The Prince’s Trust South region director Dermot Finch added: “With the right support, we know that self-employment can be a viable option for young people, giving them the chance to beat unemployment and create jobs for themselves and others. Starting a business is never easy, and it is inspirational to hear of young people battling against the odds to succeed in life.”
The Prince’s Trust has supported 825,000 young people in the past 40 years and this year it will support over 100 more each day.
Next Thursday’s fair is open from 11am-3pm.
