Partnership improves skills and qualifications

Published by Matt Critchley for Severnside Housing in Housing and also in Communities

A group of young people aged 16-25 have been offered the opportunity to gain new skills and qualifications, through a new partnership between Severnside Housing, City of Wolverhampton College, and The Prince’s Trust.

Severnside is working with the College and the Prince’s Trust to deliver their Team Programme, a full-time 12-week personal development course which aims to improve confidence, motivation and skills and encourage participants to think about their future.

The course aims to bring together young people from different backgrounds, abilities and circumstances to work together to benefit their local community and at the same time gain nationally recognised qualifications.

13 young people have signed up to the first course, which was launched at the Flax Activity Centre (formerly Salop Glass), but has now moved to The Sundorne Youth Centre, which offers more space.

The 12-week programme started on Monday 14^th November 2011 and has so far seen the young people take part in experiencing real life scenarios during their risk assessment and fire safety training at The Handsworth Fire Station.  The students have already gained their qualifications from the programme for completing their first aid, fire safety awareness and food hygiene level 2 training.

During week 2 the team enjoyed a week-long residential trip to Kinver Scout Camp where they were given the responsibility of budgeting and managing the course rota for duties such as cooking, cleaning and washing up. This was a great opportunity to build and develop their skills and confidence through outdoor activities including rock climbing.

The remaining weeks are for work placements, giving course members the opportunity to try out some of their new skills and build confidence in work environments; a ‘Next Steps’ week which looks at progression opportunities and ‘Team Challenge’, in which the Team members have to interact with people in the community with whom they would ordinarily not have much contact with (such as older residents, or those with disabilities).

Throughout all of these activities, the course members will also gain a City & Guilds qualification in Development and Contributing to the Community and several Key Skills level 2 awards.

Edge Abboh, community development officer at Severnside Housing, said:  “This partnership helps us to provide the tools for young people to get the confidence to progress with their personal development journey.”

Kieron Weatherstone, The Prince’s Trust Manager at City of Wolverhampton College said: We are delighted to be working with Severnside Housing in bringing the Prince's Trust Team programme to Shrewsbury.  This partnership will help us promote the programme and engage with more young people from the local area.