The King’s Trust Awards recognise young achievers in Wales
A young refugee and trauma survivor among those praised for overcoming challenges and community contributions
A Syrian refugee and a young man with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are among seven young winners commended at The Kings Trust Awards in Wales today.
The King’s Trust Awards recognises young achievers from across Wales and held their event today (19th January) in Cardiff.
The Awards shine a light on those who have achieved extraordinary success despite facing significant challenges. The awards honour their impact on their local communities and their efforts to improve their lives.
The winners are now in with a chance at becoming National King’s Trust Award winners in 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The Welsh winners
The Welsh winners of The King’s Trust Awards in partnership with TK Maxx include:
• Homesense Young Achiever: Finley
• L’Oreal Paris Rising Star: Chelsea
• Delta Air Lines Breakthrough: Abdulrahman
• NatWest Enterprise: Daniel
• JD Foundation Community Impact: Pembrokeshire Youth Service
• Watches of Switzerland Young Change Maker: Casey
• Tesco Education: Aaron
Each of these winners will join others from across the UK at the 2026 National King’s Trust Awards.
Abdulrahman’s journey from surviving to thriving
Abdulrahman, 26, from Cardiff, fled Syria as an asylum seeker and worked to rebuild his life in Wales.
Through The King’s Trust’s Get Into Digital programme, he gained skills, confidence, and direction, eventually achieving his dream of studying for an MSc in Computing at Cardiff University with a scholarship.
“The King’s Trust helped me believe in myself again, and now I want to support others facing similar challenges and show them what’s possible,” Abdulrahman said.
Casey’s entrepreneurship journey
Casey, 28, from Cardiff, faced uncertainty after completing treatment for Complex PTSD but turned things around through The King’s Trust’s Enterprise programme.
With guidance from a mentor, Casey founded his own business, Doran Tactical Innovations Ltd, which provides equipment for emergency services and security personnel. His business has grown significantly and is now expanding its premises.
Casey said: “Even in the face of overwhelming odds, you must persevere and fight for what you want.”
Pembrokeshire Youth Service and Haverfordwest mural project
Pembrokeshire Youth Service, winners of the JD Foundation Community Impact Award, worked with students from Haverfordwest High School through The King’s Trust Achieve programme.
The group transformed a neglected subway into a vibrant mural reflecting their identity, resilience, and pride in their community. The initiative taught teamwork, fundraising, and public speaking skills, while creating a lasting legacy for Haverfordwest.
Ffion, one of the group members, said: “This project is our legacy. We’ve created something lasting that represents who we are and where we come from.”
About The King’s Trust
The King’s Trust is a youth charity dedicated to helping young people gain confidence and skills to build a brighter future. According to The King’s Trust, three in four young people they have supported over the past five years have moved into employment, training, or education.
Nearly a million young people are out of work, education or training.
The National King’s Trust Awards, set to be held in May 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall, will bring together music, comedy, and other performances to celebrate the achievements of young people supported by the charity.