Young people team up to boost their skills

The young people who undertook a renovation of the garden area at the back of Lighthouse Project in Middleton

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A group of six unemployed young people from Rochdale have boosted their confidence and personal skills by completing an exciting twelve week development course.

The Prince’s Trust Team programme, run by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, enables team members to take part in a range of training, community projects and workshops that help to open the door to employment or further training.

The course started with an induction week and outdoor pursuits residential in the Yorkshire Dales. The residential consisted of challenging team building activities including abseiling, a waterfall and ghyll scramble, hill walking and night walk.

On returning from their residential the team soon got stuck into planning, fundraising and carrying out a 2-week community project.

The young people undertook a renovation of the garden area at the back of Lighthouse Project in Middleton, a drop-in charity organisation and community centre.

Tirelessly, the team dug up and moved over 30 tonnes of soil to create a level surface and when the weather conditions were bad, the team restored 10 benches.

Team member Frazer Mottershead. aged 18 and from Kirkholt, commented: “It was a challenging project but it was very rewarding.”

Team members took part in work placements at a range of local employers including Olympic Gym Ashton, RSPCA Rochdale and the Groundwork office in Middleton.

The young people gained excellent references, developed new skills and built confidence. Other employment support included writing CV’s, letters and application forms, job search skills and interview techniques, plus a mock interview.

As a final team challenge, the young people were tasked with organising a day to benefit a local community group. The team decided to host two different days activities. On the first day the team organised and funded a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry for a group of local youngsters. On the second day, returning to Lighthouse Project, a board game tournament was hosted with the service users.

Over the duration of the programme the young people completed training courses included First Aid, Food Hygiene and Manual Handling certificates. Team members also took part in a one day Drugs Awareness course.

Nicholas Mockridge, Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team Leader, added: “I am extremely proud of how this group of young people supported each other over the last 12 weeks. It shows great determination to complete the Prince’s Trust Team programme and I’m sure the skills and confidence gained by each team member will help on their journeys to work or further training.”