We'd all love to have the confidence of a Marvel hero to make our dreams come true.
But sometimes getting where we want to be can seem like a superhuman task.
The Prince’s Trust NatWest Youth Index reveals that one in three young people say more self-confidence would help with achieving their dreams (in work or education).
And 46% say having a mentor would make them feel more confident in their future.
That's why The Prince's Trust teamed up with Marvel last year to offer a mentorship programme for young people interested in taking their first steps in the fashion and product design industry.
Led by Disney's product designers, the programme for 16-30-year-olds helps the next generation of diverse talent gain the skills and experience needed to break into the industry.
Nine people participated in the programme and the product range they designed is now available at shopDisney and in Disney Stores.
Here, five of the mentees share how Marvel and The Prince's Trust saved the day for their ambitions.
Joe Orebiyi
Joe, 20, from north-west London, says: "Before The Prince’s Trust, I was in school, and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. I didn't want to come out of my shell and had felt confused.
"I always knew I wanted to have a career in TV and film, this was my passion, but I had no idea how to get in the industry and pursue this.
"The programme gave us so much opportunity to create lots of different ideas, and it’s so nice to see the output and it’s exactly how I envisioned it!
"I want to say to other young people, if you see an opportunity like this – go for it and don’t give up! Keep persevering and keep going."
Zahrah Sheikh
Zahrah, 29, from east London, says: "When I started The Prince’s Trust, I was in a place where I had really lost all hope and I was unhappy in my life.
"I was in a place where I didn’t know what I was going to do – especially during the pandemic. I wanted to gain new skills and I was recommended The Prince’s Trust, where I participated in a variety of courses.
"Doing the courses helped me, inspired me and I found I was capable of so much more than I knew. I felt like I had a plan again, and goals in place to achieve that plan.
"This has opened a whole new world for me with new possibilities. Before I felt that I had reached a dead-end – but now this experience has reinvigorated my energy, I have new drive and passion to chase my goals."
Charlotte Ross
Charlotte, 23, from London, says: "Prior to the Prince’s Trust programme, I just made the leap from working in Mental Health Law to exploring more creative endeavours.
"I had previously studied Law and the desire to shift career paths was prompted by extensive reflection at the start of the pandemic in 2020. I had been working at building up my own small business creating accessories and homeware from resin.
"I had always had an interest in product development and marketing, but the programme cemented my desire to carve out a career path in this area.
"As somebody with a passion for both Marvel comics and product design, this was a dream come true."
Aisha Hiba Qureshi
Aisha, 23, from west London, says: "I was pretty depressed with life, both personally and professionally.
"I had been looking for Jobs since 2019 and I gave up during the pandemic due to the amount of rejections.
"It was a difficult period for me. Working with the Prince's Trust has boosted my self-confidence and its made me realise that I enjoy a lot of the creative side of things.
"It's made me go back into my past and made me realise my passions and that it is possible to interweave this into a future career that I am happy with.
"This whole project is very special to me, its something that I could have never imagined. It is one of the biggest achievements in my life and I am very grateful for this opportunity that the Prince's Trust and Marvel have given me."
Aaron Asante
Aaron, 29, from south-east London, says: "Before The Prince's Trust, I was unemployed during the pandemic. I was freelancing, and looking for a new job.
"[The programme has] been an amazing experience and something I can be proud of for the rest of the my life. Especially working for such a large and reputable company like Disney/Marvel.
"It's something I am very proud of. Growing up as a Marvel fan and watching the movies, this has been an amazing achievement.
"This means the world to me."
