THE PRINCE'S Trust celebrates its 30th birthday nationally, but 2006 also marks the organisation's 20th anniversary in Pembrokeshire. Reporter Julie Taylor looks at the trust's work within the county and how it has changed in the past two decades...

PRINCE'S Trust Pembrokeshire started in 1986 as little more than an outdoor centre.

Two full-time staff provided the outdoor residential facilities for teams from around Britain.

But opportunities for local youths and communities were limited.

Twenty years later, the trust has built strong partnerships with local organisations and now runs its own 12-week courses for Pembrokeshire's youth from a new location in Pembroke Dock.

It is the largest of the charity's UK centres employing more than a third of their Welsh workforce and offering the widest range of outdoor activities and programmes.

It still hosts residentials for around 10% of the 700 UK teams which complete the 12-week programme each year.

Centre manager Steve Sutcliffe said an increased focus on young people in Wales over the last decade has resulted in a number of supportive partnerships within this county.

"We have been very much a part of that process," he said.

Partnerships have developed with Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College, the youth offending team, youth service, Communities First and the careers company to name a few.

In February the trust moved to the Pembrokeshire Activity Centre, Pembroke Dock, working more closely with Pembrokeshire Water Sports.

Steve believes this partnership will benefit both groups - the trust having access to a wider range of facilities while providing year-round business for the centre.

Local businesses have been supportive, providing funding and donating materials for community projects.

Steve said: "We all want to bring young people back into the mainstream so they can access opportunities available to everyone else."

He points to the new Get Into Construction programme as an example of helping youths onto a career path.

"We are helping young people who may have problems or lack good basic skills or confidence to make positive decisions about their future."