A NEW study to mark The Prince’s Trust’s 40th anniversary shows it has returned £116 million on value to Yorkshire society in the last ten years, including in Bradford.

The charity has helped disadvantaged youngsters in the region over the last ten years alone.

The £116m figure, calculated by NEF Consulting, includes the return on the investment of getting young people off benefits, reducing offending and re-offending and helping youngsters to achieve at school.

Across the UK, the Trust’s value to society is £1.4 billion over the last decade.

One such youngster the charity has helped over the last decade is Simba Masora, 21, of Bradford.

He moved from his native Zimbabwe to the UK when he was 18 after teaching himself English to be with his mother.

But with no relevant qualifications, poor English and a lack of experience, he found it difficult to get a job.

After he was unemployed for a number of months, he contacted The Prince’s Trust through the Job Centre.

He joined a one-week Prince’s Trust Get Into Health and Social Care programme, which provides young people aged 16 to 25 with the skills and confidence needed to move into employment.

He received help from the programme’s leaders and now works in a shop.

Mr Masora now volunteers for charities in the district and works as an young ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.

He said: “The Trust gave me confidence to believe that if you work hard, anything is achievable.

“Getting in touch with The Trust is the best decision a young person can ever make.

“Nobody from The Trust ever criticises you.

“Everyone is warm and welcoming, despite your background and what you might have been through.”

The Trust has also revealed the findings of a poll with youngsters from Yorkshire and the Humber on what support tehy had received and their prospects for the future.

It found 48 per cent said they had no support from anyone during their job search. A total of 56 per cent rarely or never received help with their homework and 37 per cent of young people rarely or never feel optimistic about the future.

Jonathan Townsend, north of England director at The Prince’s Trust, said: “Over the last 40 years, The Prince’s Trust has provided an alternative support network for young people who may not have the family support they need.

“We support around 4,000 young people each year in Yorkshire and the Humber alone, and three in four of the young people we help move into work, education or training, helping to build their self-esteem and break the cycle of poverty and disadvantage.”