Speaking at an event at the House of Lords last night (23 July) chief executive Stephen Gilbert said: "We want to help treble the number of people we helped last year, and by 2017 we want to move that up to 2,000 and keep it going and growing."

He called for the industry’s help in reaching people in need of assistance, especially during a period of  austerity: "Tell people about your charity and help us find these people."

Lord Black of Brentwood, the charity’s president, praised the work carried out by grass roots employees. "Stephen and his team turn compassion into action and we want to do more, to help individuals, families and people of all ages."

TPC will spend an additional £1.4m a year in order to reach its target. It is exploring a number of future projects to extend its profile and reach, including ventures with the Worshipful Company of Stationers and employment charity Tomorrow’s People. It has already expanded its work with the Prince’s Trust.

The charity is also ramping up its activities in the Yorkshire region, an important print hub, by re-establishing and reinvigorating its Yorkshire Committee. It will be chaired by Communisis director Gurdev Singh, supported by Robert McClements, the chief executive of Print Yorkshire.

A record number of 17 awards in the Print Futures project were handed out at the event, boosted by an additional £30,000 in funding for the grants of up to £1,500 to help applicants with training costs. Print Futures is supported by TPC, union Unite and the BPIF.

The winners were:

Jennifer Chattaway, who has has won a place on the City University MA course in magazine journalism and hopes for a future job on a national consumer magazine.

Charlotte Corner, who declares "a passion and burning desire for print", and founded and edited the Cheerleader, a magazine for the cheerleading community, with limited resources.

Daniel Crossfield, has completed a BTec in IT and now plans a BTec in business studies at Barnsley College. "My parents have had a printing business from before I was born," he says.

Sarah Green, says she loves the printing industry from a design point of view. "Now I have to ensure my skills match my determination."

Oliver Griffin, who plans to study for an MA in magazine journalism at City University.

Alex Gross, who is reading for a BA in graphic & media design at the LCC. He is fascinated by the letterpress process and recently acquired his own 8x5 Adana.

Michael Hood, a trainee customer adviser with Severnprint who is studying print administration under the watchful eye of BPIF Training.

Anita Hossain, is just completing her final year of a design & colour technology BA at the University of Leeds, she has won a one-year unpaid internship with cosmetics giant Estée Lauder.

Calum Jacobs, a design & colour technology student at the University of Leeds, is looking for industry placements to further his experience. "I see my future being heavily involved in print."

Chris Jeeves, a Shillington College design graduate who has just secured a job as a junior designer with a top estate agent in its London head office.

Ralph Jones, who is studying for an MA in magazine journalism at City University.

Andrei Kazak, a final year design & colour technology student from the University of Leeds, who has his eye on a future career in the packaging industry.

Benjamin Levermore, who is studying graphic design full-time at Shillington College.

Katie Martin, a graphic designer who plans a career in "sustainable design".

Natalie Metcalfe, who has switched from a career in teaching to pursue her interest in graphic design, and recently completed a design course at Shillington College. 

Dominic Novelli, a digital print, print and mail apprentice at Fujitsu ICL Computers in Cheshire.

Laura Price, who will begin a City University MA in magazine journalism in September.

The event was hosted by Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde, the former general secretary of print union SOGAT, who said: "This has reminded me how lucky I was to be a small part of the printing and paper industry. It’s a most amazing industry."