Inspirational young woman from Jamaica announced as the Regional Winner of The Prince’s Trust Global Award

Last week, we announced the Regional Winner of The Prince’s Trust Global Award. Celebrating the outstanding achievements of a young person on a Prince’s Trust programme in the Caribbean, the award was given to Tracey-Ann during a reception with Prince’s Trust International at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Jamaica.

Prince’s Trust International has been working in Jamaica since 2019 with programmes focused on helping young people to re-engage with their education and find meaningful employment, and supporting them to explore entrepreneurship.

In 2017, Tracey-Ann set up i-SEEED, a community club that supports young people to reach their potential, whatever their circumstances – and despite high neighbourhood rates of unemployment, crime and early parenthood. She founded her second organisation, Get Out Alive World, in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns saw domestic violence surge.

“Don’t give up on persons, sometimes all they want is a second chance and once we provide that, I believe that miracles will happen,” she says. “I am a living testimony that miracles can happen”.

In 2022, Tracey-Ann took part in the Explore Enterprise programme, delivered in partnership with Prince’s Trust International and Jamaica Youth Business Trust. The programme empowers young entrepreneurs, whatever stage they are at, to build and grow their business. It has given Tracey-Ann the tips, tools and knowhow to strengthen her finances and scale up her services.

With sound finances, Tracey-Ann’s organisations can continue to serve their community for many years to come. After securing four new grants in 2022/23, the organisations have been able to expand to reach 3,000 more people, and she has taken on four new employees – all women previously affected by domestic violence.

“Before, I was clueless about how to get funding and be sustainable,” Tracey-Ann explains. “This programme has been a phenomenal journey. I want to say thank you, but thank you is not even the word for what I feel”.

Speaking at the reception, Her Excellency Judith Slater, British High Commissioner to Jamaica, commented:

“It has been fantastic to come together with stakeholders from the UK and Jamaica with the common goal of helping young people to succeed. Hearing from young women like Tracey-Ann today has been a real highlight – her achievements are an inspiration to us all. I look forward to seeing many more young people supported through Prince’s Trust International’s work with partners in Jamaica”.

Will Straw, Chief Executive of Prince’s Trust International, added:

“I am thrilled for Tracey-Ann, a young woman who is having a hugely positive impact on her community. It is more important than ever that we are united in support for those like Tracey-Ann as they build their own futures.

“Our partnership model brings in local expertise to ensure that young people in Jamaica can access the tailored support they need. Looking ahead, we are strengthening our programmatic delivery to support many more young people across the country into meaningful and sustainable work”.