The main show may be over, but celebrations to mark the Coronation of King Charles III will continue across the bank holiday weekend, culminating in tomorrow’s Big Help Out.

‘Lend a Hand. Make a change’ is the tagline, encouraging people across the country to spend time helping out in their local communities.

For many this might just be for the day, but for the Prince’s Trust, those sentiments have been at the heart of its ethos for almost half a century.

Founded in 1976 by the then Prince of Wales, the charity has since helped 1,000,000 young people by providing courses, guidance and equipment for those in need of support to find a job or start a business – not least those with an interest in the science and tech industries.

In 2019, Joel Gunner was studying for a degree in human nutrition when he fell ill and had to withdraw from his course. A few months later he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

‘After I was diagnosed, I was feeling deflated and uncertain,’ he says. ‘The recovery rate for my illness is just 5%, but I try to keep my head up and remain positive.’

Joel, a lifelong stargazer, was recommended the Prince’s Trust ‘Get Started with Stars and Space’ programme by his girlfriend. Although worried he might struggle with having been out of education for a while and the brain fog often associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, he thrived.

‘I was really nervous beforehand,’ says Joel. ‘I hadn’t been in a group scenario learning like that in a long time. Plus, having to do that online was quite daunting! But I wouldn’t have been able to do the course if it hadn’t been online as I wouldn’t have been able to travel to the Southwark office, so that was great.

‘I really enjoyed the programme. It was very thought-provoking and it was an amazing opportunity to speak to experts in the field. The highlight for me was speaking to [astronaut] Tim Peake – that was a bit of a “pinch me” moment. 

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