In the face of gloomy news reports regarding the inability of pensioners to make ends meet, the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME) is suggesting that these same pensioners take matters in their own hands to become self-employed.

This drive has been a response to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which indicated that the current unemployment level in the 50-65 age group has increased from 4.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent in just three months.

Unlike many others, and in some cases unlike older people themselves, the Prince’s charity has recognised that people over 50 would still have a lot to offer if only given the chance to prove this.

For this reason, PRIME will aim to set up people over the age of 50 to become self-sufficient business people. This will help people in this age group to value themselves and their contribution to society once again.

Karen and Richard Kemp are a good example of the programme’s success. Their catering company has been successful and growing as a direct result of the workshops offered by PRIME. This will offer a valuable ray of hope to others in the same age group who feel that they have years of wisdom and experience to offer their world and their country.