A man from Blackburn, who managed to turn his life around after becoming homeless, has recalled the moment he met King Charles III.
Tom Pemberton, 25, featured in a One Show segment about The Prince’s Trust, a charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III to help vulnerable young people get their lives on track.
Tom won the Prince's Trust Homesense Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2021, after the charity helped him to overcome homelessness and drug addiction to become an NHS key worker.
Tom was invited to the palace and met the royal, before he was named as king, and received the award directly from him.
Speaking on the BBC One Show segment, Tom said it was a surreal experience.
He said: “I was gobsmacked to meet the King. I was nervous at first because I was meeting royalty.
“The king himself presented the award to us.
“I treasure [the picture of myself and the King] as it’s a once in a lifetime [experience] and It’s not something you do every day.”
Tom also opened up about his early life, battling homelessness and drug addiction.
He said: “When I was at school I was a bit of a class clown, constantly being excluded and in detention. I didn’t have a lot going for myself.
“[When I left school] I started drinking and taking drugs. My parents didn’t want me there which left me homeless.
“I would end up pacing the streets at night. I wouldn’t even know what day it was or where it was. It didn’t feel like I would ever get out of it.”
Thomas found help from a homelessness charity who referred him to The Prince’s Trust where he decided to join the Get into Healthcare programme.
After a four-week placement, he secured a job in the laundry department and he has been working for the NHS ever since, becoming a key worker when the pandemic hit.
Tom said his life changed since landing the job.
He said: “They took us through laundry and I thought this is something I could get into as it was hands on.
“I get a feeling of self-worth [working here] as it’s a very important role. Without the laundry and team that work there the hospital would got to a standstill.
“I don’t think I would be anywhere without the Prince’s Trust. I am massively proud of myself and the things I have achieved – I can’t get over it.”
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