AMBITIOUS young entrepreneurs are being encouraged to become their own bosses with the help and support of The Prince’s Trust.

Philip Woodhead turned his life around after being put in touch with the charity as he was on the verge of losing his home when he lost his job.

The 31-year-old, of Middlesbrough, trained in fashion at college and fulfilled his ambition of becoming a fashion and bridal designer.

But after three years of working for a North-East company, designing gowns for brides, he was made redundant

He said: “I had taken a few clients with me when I was made redundant and that kept me going for a while but I had a mortgage to pay for and things were getting desperate. I knew that I needed something more solid otherwise I faced losing my home. It was one of the hardest periods of my life.

“That’s when I got in touch with The Prince’s Trust. Those first few days of the enterprise programme were fantastic and everyone was so welcoming. I wasn’t afraid to ask any silly questions and I learnt so much about business planning, cash flow and marketing myself, things that I had no clue about before.”

After putting together a business plant he was awarded a £1,000 grant and a personal Prince’s Trust business mentor for two years to support him in setting things up. This allowed the designer to buy essential equipment and a laptop to replace the mobile phone he was using to run things beforehand.

Following on from his success, the charity has joined forces with RBS to try and encourage more people in the area to set up their own business.

Jonathan Townsend, regional director of The Prince’s Trust in the North of England, said: “Young people can achieve amazing things with the right support – but all too often they have never had anyone to believe in them and crucially, lack self-confidence.

“We have helped more than 74 entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground in the North-East over the last year – such as beauticians, barbers, dog groomers and digital agencies – and we want to help more young people become their own boss.

"The Prince’s Trust can help with free intensive support, low interest loans and business mentors to support young people at every step of the way.”

Through the campaign, unemployed young people are being encouraged to submit business ideas at www.princes-trust.org.uk/ideas