The King's Trust Arvostelua 

I had been recommended the Kings Trust Enterprise programme by a friend.

I waited to 2 months to join the enterprise information session which was a very long and complex process. I was subjected to a highly dysfunctional and unsupportive power point presentation. There was no interaction with the organisers and everything felt very impersonal and automated.

Once I received my application form. I applied for a position on the Kings Trust enterprise Programme and was rejected because I didn’t have enough sufficient experience in the sector I’m starting my business, so they claim. However, I do have sufficient experience within the field. I have conducted extensive market research, designed and sourced all my products myself, I have experience working in e-commerce , distribution and event production .My industry is selling Drinkware (tumblr cups) which is a business that wouldn’t require much experience. In contrast to yoga teaching or plumbing as described in their information session.

What I don’t understand is that joining this program is supposed to allow young and inspiring entrepreneurs to learn and gain the skills required for you to establish your business; especially if you are new to the field. Why would they be required to have experience when this is a new business venture?

I can confirm from reading all the other bad reviews that the King’s Trust is extremely biased and not inclusive. The Kings Trust does not give people a fair chance who are from diverse backgrounds such as myself to succeed and start a business.

They have a particular criteria of individuals and business ideas in mind which they categorise as eligible. If you want to be treated fairly avoid this organisation.

Don’t waste your time!

Disappointed by Lack of Transparency in Application Process

I recently applied for funding through The King’s Trust with a clear business plan and genuine intent to grow my start-up. Unfortunately, I was declined — not because my application lacked merit, but because, according to their response, “many of the applicants were already trading so the limited places available have gone to those businesses.”

This was incredibly disappointing, especially since the application materials gave the impression that start-ups and early-stage businesses were welcome to apply. If the funding was only available to businesses already trading, that should have been clearly stated upfront.

I’m sharing this so other aspiring entrepreneurs are aware — if you’re not already trading, your chances may be slim regardless of your potential or how much effort you put into your application. Transparency and clearer communication would go a long way in making the process fairer for everyone.

The kings trust is a complete waste of time... They force you onto mandatory PowerPoint meetings repeatedly emphasizing the importance of your business plan and then when you finally get to your first appointment with an advisor, that advisor repeatedly calls your business unfeasible after admitting that they did not know anything about the industry or even bothering to look at the highly emphasised business plan. I was told multiple times that my business didn't have a plan despite only receiving the business template a few days prior, despite this I did complete the business plan but the advisor completely refused to look at it and simply kept stating that they did not understand the industry and therefore it was unfeasible. The advisor claimed that my business had to be profitable within one month, he claimed this this was an expectation of all businesses that joined the course. When I complained about this, I was sent a dismissive email from their complaints team wishing me luck in my future endeavours. I really should've checked trust pilot before investing so much of my time into this. It is a highly fraudulent charity that absolutely does not help young people get into business unless you want to run a dog grooming business or sell jewellery. Complete waste of time honestly!

This course is a waste of time for anyone with experience in the workplace with colleagues.

You’re probably wondering why I joined this course when I already had work experience, but for context, I was in a very difficult position when I applied for this course as I got let go from my previous job for no good reason (I’m autistic and I got let go for being “too slow” at making everyone’s dishes).

During this course, I was treated like I was in school again (I was 18 and had left school 2-3 years before, so obviously I wasn’t happy about this). Also, most of the things me and my classmates were taught were things I’m assuming most people would’ve known about, and were completely irrelevant into getting a job (minus the CV building, work experience, etc.)

One thing I’ll mention as well is that my tutor didn’t help me get work experience as I actually got a part time job whilst I was doing this course, which would’ve been understandable and fair, but there was someone else in my class who also had a job while doing the course, and my tutor helped him get work experience.

I’m not here to complain about my tutor as this isn’t the place to do so, but I am here to complain about the course and what it involves. I don’t recommend it unless you’re unemployed with no work experience and you’re at a point where you’re desperate.

Enterprise program is not available in my area. Incredibly disappointing and let down.

Just came off a 20 minute phone call with a person from the enterprise team who has told me to come back in 6 months once I have monetised my business.

I had to wait 3 months for an appointment and had to wait through a 2 hour zoom call for this result…

Putting aside the fact that I would not need Kings Trust after I have monetised, why is the process to get on the enterprise program so time consuming? The zoom call was a PowerPoint presentation that could have been summarised in an email.

Perhaps my type of business is unusual to the organisation, but this could have been sorted out months ago in a simple form.

Don't bother applying to anything here.
You provide them with your personal details multiple times, they give you options you are supposedly "eligible" for and then they come back days later informing you that you actually aren't.

Does not help provide opportunities to vulnerable people at all.
Terrible.

Why don't they work with more areas? I'm somebody who has struggled to get a job for 1 1/2 years and can't do a program and get proper help just because of where I live. Its tricky to get work everywhere.

Applying for funding is an absolute nightmare. The financial spreadsheet is only set up for a product selling business. IMPOSSIBLE to use as a service selling business. The questions they ask is of the same calibre of an investment bank or private equity company simply RIDICULOUS. Not worth the hassle honestly.

Horrible people they don't listen they don't even like people coming in so I don't recommend going hear

Bad people hurendus 0 out of 5

My son is starting a business, they advertise with helping young entrepreneurs, they didn’t even look into his business just sent a rejection email straight away.

I attended the Prince of Trust 4-day enterprise Course and Nigel and the rest of his team were fantastic they provided a lot of outstanding detailed information and resources and were extremely helpful. I would highly recommend other young people to sign up and join the Prince of Trust courses. Manisha Webb

I have been with the princes trust for awhile now and I have been okay so far, the communication could be better as someone who is stepping into something new and unknown I have been left stranded at times. I have sent emails and hardly get a reply but once I have spoken to someone it has been helpful. Nigel has been super helpful and has amazing tips which has boosted my brain and given me the kick that I needed.

Joke of a enterprise mentorship program. The mentor they gave me had absolutely 0 previous founder/entrepreneurial experience. No wonder the "enterprise award" clothing business they use as their star example on their website is literally a dissolved/bankrupt business.

Do not recommend.

The Trust worked with my son. The actual events, workshops & classes they ran did him real benefit & good, built his confidence, improved his ability in interview, with people etc. They helped him get a work experience placement.

But they failed him at the very last hurdle. Aged 20 but classified as a vulnerable adult under the child protection act they failed to assure that the resulting job offer, after 2 weeks of unpaid work experience was a real job, properly managed & properly paid. There was no due diligence or checks on the employer or the work / pay conditions offered.

My son ended up working 40+hrs / week for £650pcm with no contract, no training, no PPE. He was used & abused for extra profit by that employer & over a protracted period - till I found out.

By its nature the Princes Trust has a high number of vulnerable & affected / disaffected young people. Some will have learning disabilities, some suffered abuse or deprivation & lack of care, some will have limited experience in the world of work, not know the pitfalls & how to manage their own employment. They may be unaware of employment legislation on NMW, contracts, hours, training, safety etc

To progress them thru their good program, but then on into an unmanaged, bogus & usury, even unethical or illegal employment is a failure of process & a failure to those young people.

This is an obvious gap in your own Policy, processes & procedures. The poor reviews here demonstrate that.

On behalf of any vulnerable younger person - you need to Sort It Out!

Working for 4 weeks in a supermarket for free is not a "work experience opportunity". It's exploitation. Absolute scum, how can you call yourselves a charity?

I liked my time on the prince's trust programme because I got to meet new people and made new friends and it help me with my independent and communication skills I also had helpful and polite staff name jacob and Nadia I would definitely recommend it to others

Said they were going to fund me and never did

Advertise help to vulnerable and don't follow through

Profiteer out of the innocent

Terrible place to work. The management team are bullies. They do not listen to safety concerns and allow folks to come in under the influence. It is also poorly paid for the amount of hours and overtime forced upon oneself.

Princess Trust did not help me at all.
Our group was significantly mismatched in terms of skills and leadership. I was in my early twenties when I was accessed princes Trust, our team leaders were of the same age as me, they had little to no control or authority over the group. One member of our group came in high everyday. I don't believe he was ever confronted about this.
Our group was significantly mismatched in terms of skills, I don't say this to disparage but some member of our group had clear learning disabilities whereas some of us had very competent skills, this lead to vast amounts of our work either being too tough for the less able or being monotonously unchallenging, reaching towards belittling for the more able.
This is all understandable problems and nothing too damaging, the real problem i had was the treatment once the course ended; we were promised help achieving our goals and putting us on a correct path, towards further education or into employment.
I was dropped the instant the course ended, no additional meetings, no guidance, no help.
Extremely disappointing and disheartening. It feels like we are used by the organisation.
This is Connor of team 11 based out of Weymouth college and the isle of Portland sailing academy.