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All the better for U
Two hundred and eighty local young people
have been recognised for completing two personal development projects.
Award ceremonies were held at Robin Park Arena and Leigh Library
recently to celebrate the U Project 2007 and the Positive Activities for
Young People (PAYP) programme.
The U Project gives school leavers who are unsure about their futures
the chance to explore career and educational opportunities, whilst
engaging in a range of challenging activities. Delivered by the Wigan
Council Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) Youth Service, the
project has improved the prospects of hundreds of young people in recent
years.
This year 84 young people took part in the project, participating in
First Aid, Compulsory Basic motorcycle Training (CBT), Fire Awareness at
Wigan Fire Station, visits to the local Connexions Centre, kayaking,
climbing and problem solving.
Having completed the scheme, 12 young people are now in employment, 30
are now in full-time education, 25 are undertaking pre Entry to
Employment schemes (such as Rathbone and ProCo), 2 have begun Modern
Apprenticeships and 5 are going through personal development / other
programmes.
Only 7 of the young people who took part are currently not in some form
of employment, education or training, while 3 have either left the area
or cannot be contacted, meaning 88% of the U Project participants have
had a positive outcome from taking part.
CYPS Manager for Youth Development Sheila Martland says: “Yet again the
U Project has been a huge success. School structures most young people’s
lives so when pupils leave they can be extremely vulnerable if they
don’t have future plans.
“The U Project keeps the participants active mentally and physically and
it gives them time and space to decide what they want to do. It gives
them the opportunity to talk through their options with youth workers
and receive advice and guidance from Connexions Personal Advisors.
“I would like to congratulate all the young people who took part this
year on their excellent work and achievements and all the workers who
made it possible.”
The PAYP team supports vulnerable young people in hotspot areas of the
borough, delivering a year round programme with an emphasis on providing
diversionary activities throughout the holiday periods. The CYPS Youth
Service team engages young people aged 8 to 19, providing 1-to-1 support
and organising group work both in schools and in the community.
Youth Action Team Manager Marie Brookfield said: “A lot of people are
critical of young people but the results we achieve through PAYP show
how beneficial it is to take a positive approach towards them. I would
like to congratulate all the young people on the progress they have made
and the accreditations they have achieved.”
-ends-
Further information
• For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart, Young People’s
Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on (01942) 486927.
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The Golborne PAYP group (l to r) James
Pennington, Michael Twiss Williams, Andrew Twiss Williams, Sue Astbury,
Margaret Wright (PAYP Key Worker), Melissa Keenan, Emmelia Keenan and
Shantelle Smith at the Leigh awards ceremony
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