When Rhys Morris was 12-years-old, his anxiety was so crippling that he couldn’t go to school and even found it difficult to talk to his granddad.
That was in 2020, but fast forward four years and 16-year-old Rhys is a different person - he’s mastered public speaking and is training to become a police officer - all thanks to the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme.
Sometimes Rhys’ mental health was so bad that he considered harming himself.
But thanks to a caring teacher, he was referred to Milestones, Ysgol Plas Cefndy - a Pupil Referral Unit in Rhyl, north Wales, which supports struggling young people.
And the transformation has been nothing less than remarkable.
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Rhys Morris has won The Prince’s Trust Wales Education Award“When I look back and compare that period to where I am now, the change in me is unbelievable,” Rhys, from Abergele, Conwy, says. “Back then I’d struggle to speak to my own granddad and hated group settings but now I do public speaking. I recently spoke in Cardiff at the Prince’s Trust ceremony in front of seventy people.”
The Achieve programme helped Rhys interact with others, as he took part in team-building activities, and taught him new skills.
Although he admits he was pushed completely out of his comfort zone, with the support of professionals and a safe space around him, he opened up and has since been able to manage his anxiety.
“I was struggling with confidence and self-esteem, anything to do with social interactions,” Rhys recalls. “I couldn't handle going to school; COVID and moving house didn’t help; they knocked me off balance.
“I lost contact with a lot of my friends; my anxiety destroyed any social contact I had. But I’ve been able to do more than I can imagine with the correct support.”
Despite his challenges, the programme allowed Rhys to push his boundaries as he completed his GCSEs and Prince’s Trust certificate.
But it’s not just about sitting exams; he remembers how pleased he was after setting himself a goal to overcome his fear of heights and climb a tree, and says the teamwork activities forced him to speak to strangers.
“I’m terrified of heights, but going up that tree really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Rhys adds. “I was also pushed to speak to people I’d never met, something I could never do before, which really helped with my confidence.”
The Prince's Trust is a charity founded by King Charles to help disadvantaged young people by offering financial grants, training courses, and mentoring. Rhys’ story shows just how much the right support can help young people turn their lives around.
Since it was set up in 1976, more than a million young lives have changed for the better and many of them have gone on to help others.
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Rhys now wants to give something back to the community and is studying for a BTEC in Uniformed Protective Services at Coleg Llandrillo in Rhyl, as he works towards his ambition of joining the police force.
“I see a lot of people my age who struggle in general, and I’d recommend the Achieve Programme - it’s made a huge difference to my life,” he adds.
“I’ve been helped my entire life by the Prince’s Trust, parents, grandparents and teachers and I see the work they do with other people. Now I want to make a difference and help people too.”
“The Achieve Programme has helped me to achieve my ambition. I want to give something back and contribute to society myself.
“I never thought I’d be this determined to do anything in life. I’ve learnt that if you put your mind to something, you can achieve whatever you want.”
Not only has he learnt how to manage his anxiety but Rhys has also won The Prince's Trust Ascential Education Award. This award recognises young people who have overcome barriers and developed new skills to improve their prospects through re-engagement in education.
Miss Tracy Marlor who nominated Rhys, said: “At Milestones, Ysgol Plas Cefndy we challenge all our pupils to aspire. Rhys has taken that challenge to the highest level through Prince's Trust. This is an amazing achievement, as a school we are immensely proud.”
So what would Rhys say to other young people struggling at school?
“I’ve never really won anything in my life so to be recognised by the Prince’s Trust is quite overwhelming and unexpected.
“I know I’m not the only one who struggles - lots of people did during Covid. Winning this award just goes to show you should never give up. The Prince’s Trust taught me you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.”
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