Prince’s Trust and Big Lottery Fund help 462 young people ‘get started’
More than 462 local disadvantaged young people will be given the opportunity to get their lives back on track with the launch of an innovative new series of Get Started programmes themed around arts, music and sport, delivered by The Prince’s Trust and supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
A total of 42 one week courses delivered over the next five years at four locations in Northern Ireland – North Belfast, East Belfast, Craigavon, Newry are aimed at young people aged 16-20, who have left care, have an offending background or are at risk of offending, have disengaged from mainstream education and are furthest from the job market.
The Princes Trust was awarded £484,319 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Out: Empowering Young People programme to run the Get Started programmes which will aim to improve the self esteem, confidence, education and job opportunities of the young people involved.
Speaking at the launch Ian Jeffers, Director with The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland said,
“With almost 24,000 18-24 year olds currently unemployed locally, it is crucial that we act now and intervene at an early stage to tackle the very real threat of a lost generation. This new series of Get Started programmes is specifically targeted at geographic areas we have identified as having the greatest need.
“Each themed course is specially designed to re-engage young people to take control of their lives, build their confidence and motivation, and set them on the right path to education, training and employment.”
Three Get Started programmes are scheduled before the end of this year including Get Started with Hair and Beauty, Get Started with Film, Audio and Animation and Get Started with Boxing.
Commenting on the launch of the Get Started programmes, Frank Hewitt, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said:
“We are already seeing the really positive impact that the Empowering Young People programme is having on the lives of our most vulnerable young people during this harsh period of recession in Northern Ireland.”
“The programme is supporting a range of vital projects that are transforming the lives of young people in our communities. The Prince’s Trust’s Get Started programme is aiming to improve the lives and opportunities of some of the most isolated young people in the North and East Belfast, Craigavon and Newry areas.”
Young people aged 16-20 can find out more about The Prince’s Trust Get Started programmes by calling 028 9074 5454.
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