Top of the class for youth workers

A group of 10 New Progress Housing Association tenants are celebrating, after receiving their City and Guilds Level 2 Certificates in Supporting Youth Work.

The ladies participated in a free training course run by Runshaw College and supported by the New Progress Community Investment Team. They visited the New Progress Sumner House Head Office for three hour sessions every Friday afternoon for 30 weeks.

They also had to complete 90 hours of practical work in an appropriate youth work setting such as The Place, Wade Hall and the Kingsfold Community Centre.

Many of them were already giving up their free time to provide enjoyable, educational and challenging activities for young people, this qualification has helped them to improve the skills that they already had.

The ladies were invited to a Sumner House reception, with Managing Director Bernie Keenan, to celebrate their achievement. He said: “The qualification you have been awarded is much deserved by all of you. I know that you have put in a tremendous amount of work, both in your class sessions and out in the community, and the commitment and dedication you have shown makes you fantastic role models.

“On behalf of New Progress I’d like to say a big well done to you all.”

Course Tutor, Wendy Taylor, said: “The class had to combine collaborative study and placement activities to develop the skills in team work, active listening, conflict resolution and policy awareness, needed to gain this qualification.

“Two members of the class had babies during the course, proving that community-based learning can combine family life with the development of new skills.”

Mary Tremlett said: “I run two youth groups at the Kingsfold Community Centre. I ran the groups before doing the course but now they are thriving. The course was brilliant, I see things differently now and the way I manage and talk to the young people in the groups has changed.

“I’d really like to study for the Level 3 certificate now. That would give me even more knowledge and would open up more doors, possibly into management.”

Grace Webster said: “This course has given me the confidence to be able to handle myself in different situations. I would never have gone into a college to do this course, but going to class in a smaller, friendlier environment, at Sumner House, was perfect for me.”

Carole Park said: “I really enjoyed the challenge of the course and can’t wait for the challenge of Level 3 should New Progress and Runshaw College team up again to offer us the opportunity.”