A number of young people including a dad struggling to find direction in his life and a shy teenager who’s just got a job at a Rotherham care home have all benefited from a police and fire service led youth programme.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) and South Yorkshire Police (SYP) teamed up with the Prince’s Trust to deliver the Team Programme two years ago. During that time around 100 young people have benefited from the 12 week personal development course for unemployed 16 – 25 year olds, offering work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community projects and a residential week.
Individuals gained new skills, mixed with new people and made new friends, they were given help with job-hunting and CV writing and most importantly a big boost to their confidence and a real sense of achievement.
Past participants are now championing the programme, encouraging others to take their first step and to sign up for this life changing experience.
Elise Morton, a member of our second Team Programme in Dearne, joined the course in January 2017. Elise has come on a fantastic journey, initially struggling to engage with the team and the staff, but with each week gained more confidence. Since completing the course in May Elise has now gained employment as a care support worker at a care home in Rotherham.
Elise Morton said; “I would recommend this programme to people, it helped me to build my confidence, improve my communication skills and got me into a job that I love. I want to thank the team for all their support.”
Dervla Watson from Dearne Team 2 joined the Team in January 2017, she was at sixth form but felt she was not where she wanted to be, so joined the Team Programme. Dervla is now on a Construction Study Programme based at the Mears Learning Academy in Rotherham.
Dervla Watson said; “The Team programme really helped me, it gave me time to figure out what I wanted to do. It helped me but I also witnessed so many changes with others in my group too. Not only that but having the Prince’s Trust Team programme on my CV got me noticed. I am now looking forward to a career doing a job I really enjoy. I would like to thank the Team leaders and my Team for all their support.”
Connor Simpson also joined the Dearne team in January 2017. Initially he had no idea what he wanted to do in the future, but with a young family he knew he had to start thinking and planning. During the Team programme he arranged work experience with Kingswood an outdoor education company and thoroughly enjoyed it. On completion of the programme he attended a taster day with them and has now secured himself an apprenticeship as an Activity Leader.
Connor Simpson said; “I would recommend the programme to anybody who is unsure what they want to do with their life, I would never have seen myself doing the job I do now. The programme offered me these opportunities. I now wake up every morning doing a job I love and look forward to going to work in the morning to see what the day has to offer. I would like to thank the team for getting me to this point in my life.”
We are now recruiting for the next Team Programme’s based in Barnsley and for the first time in Sheffield, to be part of it and to take that first step contact John Daley on 07769 887249 or princestrust@syfire.gov.uk.
More details can be found on the South Yorkshire Police website here www.southyorks.police.uk/princestrust
Follow updates on Twitter at #PrincesTrust
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvSKmcRN_Qc