12 young people have proudly completed The Prince’s Trust Team programme, a 12-week personal development course, with a presentation at Ryde fire station last Thursday.
This is the first time the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has hosted the course, on behalf of the Hampshire Fire Service.
The Team programme offers work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community projects and a residential week for young people, aged 16 to 25, who are not in education, employment or training.
The course aims to build confidence and motivation and team members are encouraged to think about their futures, which includes preparing a post-programme development plan. Young people also develop their team-working and communication skills, contribute to their community and gain nationally recognised qualifications.
Eleonore Jones, aged 23, who recently completed the course and achieved the certificate for outstanding contribution to this ‘Team’ programme, said;
“The opportunity that I have had to participate in the ‘Team’ course is amazing! The 12 week course has been one of the hardest, but most rewarding things I have ever done. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I know that I am all the better for achieving it. I know there are many people of a similar age to me here on the Island who could truly benefit from this experience, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.”
At the end of programme ceremony, each team member gave a presentation about their achievements and received a certificate from Neil Odin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer.
Councillor Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Executive Member for Children’s Services, who attended the event, said:
“It is wonderful to hear about the progress these twelve young people have made over the course of the programme. They speak passionately about their experiences and have learned some very valuable life and work skills that I am sure they can build on for the future.
“I’d like to sincerely thank our fire service for leading this project and to all of the local organisations that have helped provide opportunities for the young people to learn from.”
The group also undertook work placements in a variety of settings, at organisations including Age UK, Unique Boutique, Haylands Farm, Aspire in Ryde, RSPCA shop in Ryde, British Heart Foundation shop in Newport, Travis Perkins, Portsmouth University Labs and IOW Recovery College. All members of the team were highly praised for their work within their placements.
Some great charity work was also achieved including clearing and redesigning the garden at Age UK’s Head Office and decorating their meeting room. They also source plants and furniture to complete the room’s transformation. The young people raised £550 for Age UK by bag packing at Tesco and £250 from three team challenges – including a car wash at Newport Fire Station – which was shared between Haylands, Age UK Memory Group in Brading, and St Vincent’s care home.
The team have completed their CVs which now include references from the fire service and their work placements, and lists all the skills learnt over the 12 week course.
The Prince’s Trust recently marked the 25th year of its Team programme with a nationwide campaign supported by Barclays. The charity unveiled a giant photo frame, which was used by young people taking part in the scheme to take team selfies with popstar Alesha Dixon.
Members of the public have been helping The Trust celebrate the programme’s 25th year by tweeting team selfies – known as ‘Teamies’ – with the hashtag #lovemyteam. Prizes are being awarded to people using the hashtag throughout the month.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people gain the skills and confidence to find work. Three in four young people helped by the charity move into work, education or training.
