Emma Rego | Speaking at Santander x The King’s Trust
A few days ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the very first webinar hosted by The King’s Trust for Santander UK colleagues, celebrating the start of their new partnership
I shared my personal journey and the life-changing impact The King’s Trust has had on me. My story is one of resilience, creativity, and finding the right support at the right time.
From a young age, school was not an easy place for me. I experienced bullying, often felt misunderstood, and was even labelled as “the bad kid.” In reality, I was simply hiding away in the subjects where I felt least comfortable. I thrived in creative topics but struggled in environments that lacked support or kindness. Some mornings, I would intentionally miss the bus because of the anxiety it caused me, instead waiting for the later one with elderly women heading out for their groceries, who gave me the warmth I didn’t find at school.
After leaving school, my path wasn’t straightforward. I faced rejections from top universities where I hoped to study creative business, and while freelancing in London, I poured my energy into helping companies grow, often for very little pay, sometimes for nothing. Eventually, I returned home to reset. That’s when my mum introduced me to The King’s Trust Enterprise Programme.
That was the turning point.
For the first time, I was surrounded by people who believed in me. I was supported, encouraged, and given the tools to thrive, in finance, in business, and in life. From that foundation, REGO Marketing Agency and The Emma Rego Project were born. What I would have spent three years learning at university, I gained in just weeks through The King’s Trust. More importantly, I found a community built on belief, growth, and real storytelling.
That’s why partnerships like this one with Santander are so important. The King’s Trust welcomes everyone without judgment, offering opportunities for young people to unlock their potential. For Santander colleagues, there are so many ways to get involved, from skills-based volunteering to fundraising challenges. Every contribution helps empower young people with the confidence and skills they need to build brighter futures.
This September, Santander are launching their first fundraising activities with Steps to Success and Palace to Palace. It’s a chance to step away from the desk, focus on wellbeing, and connect with others while supporting an incredible cause.
My story is just one of many. With The King’s Trust, more voices, more journeys, and more futures are made possible. And who knows, one day, maybe you’ll see my story on TV with The King’s Trust.
👉 If you’d like to support, volunteer, or donate, you can get involved here: Volunteer or Donate.
At some point we have all been told that we need to be a certain way to succeed and to follow a fixed path. But that simply is not true. It is often the messy paths, the unconventional routes, and the journeys that look different to everyone else’s that lead to the greatest success. Asking for help does not make you any less of a person, it is a sign of strength. It encourages change, inspires others to believe in themselves, and reminds us to believe in one another. Without each other we would not be here. The truth is we need to be kinder, more supportive, and use our unique skills, especially our creative ones, to make the world a better place.
If you are a young person like myself and find yourself in the position I was once in, I encourage you to reach out to The King’s Trust Support Team and begin your journey here: The King’s Trust Support Page
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