Skills for Life Project
The Project has been very successful at engaging young people who are NEET via the Tenancy Support Program. Support for this group has been developed further as we have identified through our needs and risk assessment process. Having consulted with a group of young mum regarding their aims and expectations; they felt that the prospect of entering formal education, training or employment was intimating at that time.
We provided a suitable environment for this group to grow so they could feel comfortable and safe, whilst developing their key skills. Individual action planning was introduced to help them draw on past experiences and develop a progression route. Young people’s confidence and self esteem increased enormously and this was reflected in their willingness to access other services from outside the Centre.
Acknowledging success however small and offering achievable goals to facilitate the development existing skills are a key feature of the project. We have introduced key skills training and a support package to develop employability skills. We are working with these young people in a holistic way ensuring we listen to them every step of the way and involve them by encouraging them to take responsibility for their learning.
We assist young people with choices regarding education, employment and training, which has a positive impact on them, their children and the wider community.
We work with partner agencies, and through this arrangement we were able to secure some free childcare places at our local Children’s Centre. We aim to develop a longer term strategy to enable us to further fund more childcare places.
Centre 63 provides an invaluable service to young people in relation to their housing, financial and education needs. The support and resources accessed by staff have given young people the head start that they have needed and helped them to negotiate in areas that are new to them, including essential utilities and payment, grants and housing providers. Emotional support is provided to all who are supported and this has at times proved a beneficial aspect in the support given.
