Laura, 25, originally from Stockport, has won a prestigious national Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx and Homesense Award. She scooped the NatWest Enterprise Award which recognises a young person who has overcome barriers to create their own sustainable business or social enterprise through The Prince’s Trust Enterprise programme.
She attended a reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to meet His Majesty The King, Founder of The Prince’s Trust, who congratulated the award winners on their achievements.
Laura was honoured earlier last week at the star-studded awards ceremony, hosted by Ant and Dec, and attended by many celebrity supporters and Ambassadors of the youth charity. She was presented her award by Ellie Simmonds and Tasha Ghouri.
The Prince’s Trust and TK Maxx & Homesense Awards honours and celebrates the successes of those who have been helped by The Trust, and those who support them, in the UK and around the world.
The Awards shines a light on the inspirational stories of young people, volunteers and those who support their wider communities. It showcases the impact of The Trust’s work building the confidence and skills needed to get into a job, education, training or self-employment. Many of the winners have overcome significant barriers to transform their lives and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Laura’s story
Laura, originally from Stockport, runs an award-winning community interest company, Wild Spirit Canines, training dogs as assistance companions for clients. She recently relocated to Carmarthenshire to support the growth of her business.
Laura fell ill with chronic fatigue syndrome when she was 19 years old. Six months later, she was also diagnosed with autism. Due to her ill-health Laura was unable to pursue her dream course at veterinary college.
However, a golden retriever puppy called Summer changed everything. Using her knowledge of animals, she decided to train Summer to be an assistance dog to help her with her conditions. Noticing that there weren’t many opportunities for people with similar conditions to access assistance dogs, Laura came up with the idea for her business, Wild Spirit Canines.
She got in touch with The Prince’s Trust and took part in the Enterprise programme. Soon after, set up her business training assistance dogs for people with physical and learning disabilities.
Laura has trained over 600 assistance dogs across the UK and employs three people, all of whom have assistance dogs and disabilities. Now operating out of Wales, alongside dog assistance training, she offers grooming and dog boarding.
Her community interest company, Wild Spirit Canines, is one of the only organisations that trains assistance dogs for people with all disabilities, specialising in multipurpose assistance dogs.
On winning the NatWest Enterprise Award, Laura said: “Winning the NatWest Enterprise Award feels wonderful! I’m so grateful to have so many opportunities through The Prince’s Trust that have enabled me to share my story and amplify the importance of assistance dogs.”
Franklin Asante, Head of Entrepreneurs at Coutts, part of NatWest Group said: “Congratulations to Laura on her win. It is great to see Laura thrive with such great purpose having overcome so many challenges as a young entrepreneur – a truly deserving winner!”
Tasha Ghouri, TV personality, said: “It’s a real honour to be presenting Laura with the NatWest Enterprise Award. She continues to give back to the community through her work with assistance dogs and doesn’t let anything hold her back. She is truly an inspiration to other young people out there.”
Former British Paralympian swimmer, Ellie Simmonds OBE said: “Building on her own experience, Laura created a thriving business servicing the community. Her achievements are truly incredible. Huge congratulations on winning the Enterprise Award, Laura!”
