Young people gaining newskills due to Princes Trust

Fourteen weeks ago nine young people from Hastings joined the Prince’s Trust Team programme at Sussex Coast College as a group of strangers, but left with new friends and a new set of skills.

They began their journey back in January and have now completed the programme gaining a nationally recognised Certificate in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills which has helped a number of them to find employment and start a full-time or part-time course at college.

Parents and friends attended the final Team task where the students told their inspiring and heart-warming stories during a presentation afternoon.

The audience, which included the town’s Mayor, Councillor Bruce Dowling, and Councillor Andy Batsford, heard about the fears and reservation that many of the individuals had about joining Team, and how the programme has given them the courage and confidence to meet new people and stand up in front of a room full of people to tell their stories.

During the programme, the group travelled to Ashdown forest for a week-long team-building exercise where they rock climbed, abseiled, canoed and completed a range of problem solving puzzles to earn points. During weeks 4 to 6 the Team helped to relocate Xtrax’s Young People’s Centre from Harold Place to the old Gizmo’s Dancing School on Priory Street. They cleaned, sanded, painted and assembled furniture to help the local charity settle into their new home. Andy Batsford was so impressed with one of the students, that he offered them a work placement during work experience week.

After the work experience week students practiced CV writing and job applications and took part in mock interviews which helped a number of the students secure a place on a traineeship course at the college. The Price’s Trust programme is free to anyone aged 16-25 and not in work or education. The college is looking to recruit for the next programme which starts on Monday April 25. Register your interest with Samantha McIver on [email protected].

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