Sandown Fire Station recently hosted its first-ever Prince’s Trust Team programme and is gearing up to welcome the next cohort of young people in September.
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a free 12-week course for unemployed young people aged 16-25 who aren’t in education and are unsure about their future goals. The programme helps to boost their confidence, increase motivation, and help them gain the new skills and experiences needed to turn their lives around – whether they choose to find employment or access further training/education.
The fire service run programme has helped nearly 2,000 young people since 2002, seek employment, training or education. It has been running in Hampshire for 20 years but following the formation of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) in April 2021, the Service is now proud to be reaching young Islanders too.
To date, the course has been run from and supported by 8 fire stations: Basingstoke, Gosport, Lyndhurst, Redbridge, Rushmoor and Waterlooville, as well as Ryde and Sandown.
During this time young people and staff have helped raise much-needed funds to support local community projects, and have transformed community spaces from updating pre-schools outside learning spaces, to giving care home residents an outside space they can enjoy with visitors.
20-year-old Levi Gander, from East Cowes, has just completed the second Isle of Wight Prince’s Trust Team Programme and the very first to be run at Sandown Fire Station.
Levi said:
“When I heard about the programme, I thought it might help me with my anxiety, so I applied and I’m so glad I did. It has changed my life for the better.
Article continues below this advertisement “Before I joined the course, things had gotten so bad that I didn’t think I would be able to leave the house on my own, but since taking part, my confidence and self-esteem have grown massively.”
Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, has said:
“I’m very proud that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has been able to deliver the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, for two decades. This is an incredible achievement, not just for the young people we’ve supported, but also for all my colleagues who’ve made this possible. I’m delighted that Sandown have successfully run their first programme.
“When the pandemic hit the course adapted and continued to reach and support young people remotely. Since the pandemic, now more than ever, young people need support to rebuild their confidence and increase their employability. I look forward to many more successful team programmes to come.”
Jo Gregory, HIWFRS Prince’s Trust Team Programme Manager, adds:
“We are extremely proud of the achievements of our young people and staff. Over three quarters of our young people achieve positive outcomes such as entering employment, further education or volunteering. The difference in just 12 weeks is always remarkable to watch and celebrate.”
The next team programmes are due to begin on Monday 26th September at Sandown, Redbridge and Basingstoke Fire Stations. Visit www.hantsfire.gov.uk/princestrust, email [email protected] or text Team to 07918 887897 for more information and to apply.
Well everyone knows that to get a good job you have to go to the mainland.
Well they say ‘the best gamekeepers are ex-poachers’, as they know all the tricks to be aware of, so most fitting to recruit the young from Sandown for such an important role.
Lets hope some of these youngsters can keep up with the seemingly growing number of arsonists in the town.
Plenty of shabby buildings yet to become charred rubble to fill with cramped flats to max out returns.
So, children beware and stay safe, because greed cares little for others safety.