On Thursday 4th July a group of 15 unemployed young people, all from Sittingbourne and the surrounding areas, successfully graduated from CXK’s Prince’s Trust Team Programme in Sittingbourne. The 12 week development programme aims to support NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people to build the skills, confidence and experience that they need to find work.
Whilst completing the programme, the young people – all aged between 16 and 25 – spent two weeks delivering a community project which they had designed to benefit Meads Community Centre. They held a bake sale and sponsored hair glitter, dye and cut day, raising £205 for the centre.
The team went on to donate their time to cleaning the outdoor communal area. They cut back weeds and branches, and varnished garden furniture as well as making and fitting bird boxes. The team’s objective was create a safe and vibrant space for customers to visit. In delivering the project they developed teamwork, budgeting, leadership, patience and communication skills.
Participants are able to uncover their hidden talents and gain direction. In addition to giving back to their community, participants also had the chance to go on an action-packed trip to an outbound activity centre, develop their Maths and English skills, and build work-related skills including communication, teamwork, job searching, and leadership. They also benefitted from a two week work experience placement in their field of interest.
Independent Swale councillor, James Hall, whose recent donation funded part of this programme, said,
The next Prince’s Trust Team programme in Sittingbourne will begin on 23rd September 2019. Programmes in Dartford and Ashford will start on 30th September 2019. For further information, visit our Prince’s Trust Team programme page.
