Nine young people aged between 16-25 years old have completed Guernsey’s second Prince’s Trust TEAM programme and will be presented with awards by The Lieutenant Governor. The awards evening takes place at The Venue, Fermain Valley Hotel from 6.30pm – 8pm on Thursday 8th December 2016.
These young people were all out of employment, down on luck and lacking confidence and self-esteem. Many of these young people have previously been struggling to cope within their local communities, but over the last twelve weeks these young people have stepped up to every challenge set. These challenges included a week long outdoor based residential in Wales, two young person lead community projects, two weeks of full time work experience, CV and interview technique workshops as well as continuous development of life skills to enable young people to progress in to the working world.
These young people through the support of The Prince’s Trust TEAM programme delivered by The Youth Commission For Guernsey and Alderney are now moving on to range of outcomes: 4 young people have secured interviews, whilst the other young people are continuing to work with the Prince’s Trust TEAM staff to get into employment or education. Every young person on the programme will continue to receive support over the next three months to ensure a smooth progression into their positive outcomes.
Sylvia Billien – Young Person said ‘Being on the Prince’s Trust TEAM Programme has helped me so much, helping me with my confidence, overcoming fears and pushing me out of my comfort zone. If I didn’t get the chance of being on the programme, I don’t know what I’d be doing now, my life has changed since being on the TEAM programme. They have helped me so much and I couldn’t thank the staff enough.’
Joe Charlesworth, Prince’s Trust Coordinator for the Youth Commission ‘Over the last twelve weeks, these young people have come together as a team supporting each other through different challenges every week. The young people are a real credit to the Guernsey community, taking a lead in supporting the up keep at the GSPCA as well as supporting the elderly at the Russel Day Centre. 80% of young people from the previous programme went on to a positive outcome from the previous programme and this is something we look to continue’.
Roddy Winser, CEO of the Youth Commission says ‘This programme and others we deliver for young people just could not happen without support from the business and local communities. HSBC currently fund the majority of the Prince’s Trust programme and in addition their staff support the young people with work-readiness skills such as CV writing, interview techniques and through introductions to the business environment. Local businesses such as Long-Port Group, State Street and others who host work placements all deserve significant thanks. Their collective contribution is invaluable and substantial.’
The Prince’s Trust programmes are delivered by the Youth Commission for Guernsey and Alderney. Currently the Youth Commission delivers an Achieve programme to 53 x 13-16 year olds across the Bailiwick (including St Annes in Alderney and Le Murier) and the TEAM programme twice a year (January and September) to 16-25 year olds. The Youth Commission has also secured access to Prince’s Trust Development Awards, which financially supports young people with course costs, personal protective equipment, travel costs and qualifications up to the value of £500.
Going forward, the Youth Commission wish to be in a position to introduce the Prince’s Trust’s ‘Get Started’ and ‘Get Into’ programmes in Guernsey.