Last month Chess Telecom's Chief Executive David Pollock spoke about Chess participating in The Prince's Trust Team programme, which gives unemployed young people the skills and confidence to find work. Management Accountant Cheryl Llewellyn was given the opportunity to develop her skills working as a development coach. Here's her story....

Cheryl volunteered on the Crewe programme for a 20 day 12 week course. The Team consisted of 17 youngsters from all different backgrounds, who had also gone through an interview process before being selected for the programme. Cheryl was not told why the youngsters were in the programme which meant everybody had a blank canvas to start building relationships and not be pre-judgemental. Cheryl worked alongside a Team leader and another assistant from The Prince's Trust and together they assisted in the Team building exercises, offering support and assistance when needed.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the Team went on two five day residentials. The first trip took the Team away to North Wales and included an array of outdoor activities such as gorge walking, abseiling and orienteering. The second residential trip saw them take a number of disabled people away on an enjoyable holiday. The Team also participated in a big project towards the end of the 12 weeks. They chose to help a run down drop-in centre based in Crewe for parents of disabled children. They redecorated and restored five rooms including a computer room, upstairs toilet, garden and a sensory room with special lighting and sound.

In order achieve the funding for this project, the Team had to work together and undertake several smaller activities such as bag packing at a local supermarket and completing a sponsored triathlon. Not only did the Team achieve what they set out to do, they organised for the Mayor of Crewe to officially open the day centre. As well as the above activities, practical advice and training was given to the Team throughout the 12 weeks. This included Health & Safety training, First Aid, CV and interview skills and also a work placement for each member of the Team programme.

Cheryl commented: "I didn't really know what to expect. For the first meeting everyone was nervous and kept themselves to themselves. Yet after the first residential, you could see that some had already begun to change and wanted to be Team players. By the end of the week, everyone had formed bonds and trusted you to ask for advice and support. It felt really good that I could help them. I learnt how to deal with certain situations, making decisions on the spot and thoroughly loved every minute of it."

Not only did the programme help Cheryl to find new skills, but it really was beneficial to the others not as fortunate. One of the Team members was a young gentleman called Adam Turner. At the age of 15, Adam moved into a YMCA hostel after a family break-up. Not long afterwards, Adam's then-girlfriend found out she was pregnant. He worked hard as an apprentice at a local garage so that he could afford to give his family a good start. His hard work paid off and by the time he was just 18, Adam had two cars, a beautiful home, no money worries and a family.

Sadly, the relationship broke down unexpectedly and Adam was left alone. He lost his job after becoming depressed and he immediately started to drink heavily. Adam felt like everything good in his life had gone... his family, girlfriend, daughter and his job. He would get out of bed early in the morning to stock up on alcohol before locking himself away for the day. Not long later, his best friend committed suicide. Adam explains: "I began to realise that I was actually jealous that he was dead and I still had to wake up every morning. On 31st December 2007, I decided that I didn't want to see another year in, so I took a huge overdose."

Adam's GP recommended he contact youth charity The Prince's Trust which helps young people to gain the skills, confidence and motivation to go back to work, education or training. Adam joined the Team programme based at Crewe, made new friends, rebuilt his confidence and became proud of himself. The final presentation allowed him to renew the friendship with his parents. Out of 4,000 young people involved with the Prince's Trust Programmes Adam won the Fire Services' Young Achiever of the Year Award, which recognises young people who have overcome barriers and transformed their lives.

He has since completed an access course at Reasehealth College in Nantwich and has since started a degree in zoology at Chester University with a placement a Chester zoo and Knowsley Safari Park. He is currently awaiting news on a year placement to be taken at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom in Florida.

• If you would like to learn more about the Team programmes or ways your company can help The Prince's Trust, please visit: www.princes-trust.org.uk or call 020 7543 1317.