Fundraising teaches vital job skills

Young people from across three counties have joined forces to help each other improve their chances of getting a job. Service users from Nottingham Community Housing Association's (NCHA) Young Persons projects in Retford, Grantham and Loughborough have worked together over the past four months on the "Working Assets" programme funded by the Tenants Services Authority through The Foyer Federation.

With youth unemployment at a record high, the programme looks at tackling the employability of young people living in supported housing across the country. By helping them develop skills in team building, managing money, positive thinking and decision making, the programme hopes to show those involved what they can offer their community and what their community can offer them.

NCHA's Young Person's Services team created a programme that not only helped the group develop skills but also helped raise money for their chosen charity. The programme started with an Apprentice-style challenge - each of the three projects were given £100, with the aim to make the most amount of profit possible through fundraising activities.

In each area, the groups of young people approached the challenge in a different way; using their newly learnt skills to set up sponsored walks, market stalls and selling lunches to office workers. Their efforts were rewarded, and the three projects for young homeless people have raised over £3,000 for charity.

The success of the programme has been recognised through an invitation for staff and service users to visit Downing Street in March and speak to cabinet ministers about their achievements and their experiences of living in Foyer accommodation.

Notes:
The Foyer Federation's mission is to turn young people's experiences of disadvantage into solutions that support their transition to adult independence. For more information about the Working Assets funding scheme visit: http://foyer.net/level3.asp?level3id=194