HRH met a group of young people taking part in the charity’s Get Started with Football programme, which aims to give young people the skills, confidence and motivation they need to move into work, education or training after their release from prison. Since 2010, The Prince’s Trust has run twelve courses at Parc, supporting more than 150 young people.

The Prince toured the prison gardens and sports area before meeting young people on the course run in partnership with Cardiff City FC Community and Education Foundation and the Premier League. HRH heard from one young man who had taken part in the course when facing a five-year sentence for drugs offences. Toby Guest, 27, is now employed by Cardiff City FC to deliver the course and help other young people prepare for life after prison.

Toby was reserved and withdrawn in prison but his attitude changed during the course and he was praised by prison officers as a shining example to offenders of what can be achieved by using their time constructively.

Toby said: “I made mistakes in the past but the course helped me to gain a sense in belief that I could restart my life in a positive light. Before that, I was unmotivated, and I’d lost all my confidence. The programme and the support I received helped me to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I am extremely grateful to the Prince’s staff at Cardiff City for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a fresh start.”

G4S Director for HMP Parc, Janet Wallsgrove, said: “Our work with The Prince’s Trust plays an important part in our efforts to help offenders to turn away from crime. The Get Started with Football course has a tangible impact on young offenders and their communities by helping prisoners to build the skills, knowledge and motivation to succeed when they leave custody and return to society.”