ONE Spa woman is a shining example of how a charity scheme can help determined young people get their life back on track.

Claire Powell, 28, from Droitwich, who has fought ovarian cancer, now runs Claire’s Painting and Decorating business thanks to the help of The Prince’s Trust.

A few years ago, Claire was unemployed and severely depressed. A few years on, and with the help of the charity, she has turned her life around and is now the proud owner of the painting and decorating business.

Claire left school at sixteen and did various jobs until at the age of only 22, her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She spent the following few years going in and out of hospital and undergoing various tests and operations. She was left devastated when she was told she would never have any children.

She said: “In that split second that I was told I had cancer, my world just fell apart. That year is just a blur now. I really don’t know how I got through it.”

Claire’s recovery was slow but she was eventually given the all clear and she decided to follow her dream and train to become a painter and decorator. After training as an apprentice, Claire secured her first job in a local firm, and relished doing a job she loved every day.

Her life was getting back on track and not long after Claire was given the news she thought she’d never hear – she was pregnant. Claire gave birth to her son in August 2007.

Just as things were looking up, her partner was made redundant. Claire sank back into depression. She says: “Things just kept on getting worse. I had no control over my life and felt utterly helpless.”

It was around this time that Claire heard about The Prince’s Trust. The idea of owning her own painting and decorating business offered everything that she wanted – employment, flexibility and a sense of getting her life back.

Claire nervously approached The Prince’s Trust and in August 2010 was thrilled when she was awarded a £1,000 grant to set up Claire’s Painting and Decorating. She used the money to get herself a van and to pay for her public liability insurance.

Claire’s Painting and Decorating is now going from strength to strength. She hopes to employ an apprentice later on this year to not only expand her business, but to give something back to the community.

“I know what it feels like to think that there are no options out there,” she said. “I want to give another young person the opportunity to follow their dream. The Prince’s Trust gave me my life back. Without them I really don’t know where I’d be.”