TEAMPROGRAMMECELEBRATION2012

This event is to celebrate the 200th completed Prince’s Trust team and that 2012 will be the year that Groundwork Prince’s Trust will have worked with over 3000 young people.

While the Groundwork agenda is broad – working with businesses, carrying out green-space and landscaping projects, working with the long-term unemployed – it has always had a particular focus on helping young people, who are the future of the area.

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale became a delivery partner for the Prince’s Trust in March 1998, since then over 200 teams have been run primarily covering the Oldham, Rochdale, and Middleton areas.

Over 3000 volunteers have participated on the programme, with the majority of those who have completed the course going into employment, further education or training.

The programme is aimed at young people between the ages of 16 and 25, who often have limited or no qualifications and may be segregated from standard training opportunities.

During the 12 weeks of the programme Team members gain confidence in their own skills and abilities and are able to make an impact on their own confidence and self esteem. Team members have the opportunity to gain the newly accredited Prince’s Trust Certificate in Employment, Teamwork & Community Skills among other qualifications and certificates.

Although the qualifications are important, for many of the Team members the life skills gained are of equal, if not more importance.

Additional Learning Support is offered to all Team members who attend the programme with each team having a dedicated Additional Learning Support Tutor working with them throughout the course. This enables participants to improve their literacy and numeracy skills and use these in real life situations.

WelcomeThe course also encourages young people to develop skills in community participation and active citizenship through working with and helping others. This is done through four weeks of community work, usually involving a small scale environmental project and a team challenge, which often consists of working with and benefiting local schools and community groups.

At the end of the programme the achievements of all participants are celebrated through a presentation in front of an invited audience. This presentation gives Team members the chance to explain what activities they have done and what they have personally achieved.

ProgrammeOpening Introduction

Carly Kirby – Prince’s Trust Manager

Video Presentation Created through the BBC Connect & Create partnership

Groundwork Prince’s Trust Staff

Jill Eckersley, Senior Team Leader (Middleton), 28 Teams

Joanne Shaw, Team Leader (Oldham), 26 Teams

Team Member Experiences

Adeel Abbas, Team R87

Michael Taylor, Team O81

Kohinoor Rahman, Team O77

Prince’s Trust Hand Over

Chris Hammond, Prince’s Trust Regional Manager

Community Group Experiences

Tracey Pope, Location Manager at Brackenhall Court

Revd Rachel Battershell, Curate to Holy Trinity Church, Oldham

200th Team Presentation

Chris Hammond, Prince’s Trust Regional Manager

Cliff Ellison, Executive Director of Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale

Conclusion

Cliff Ellison, Executive Director of Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale

Buffet and Refreshments

Team Programme StructureWeek OneInduction Week

The aim of this week is to encourage the young people to work together and to get to know one another. This involves participating in a number of problem solving and ice breaking activities. Team members must also complete a Basic Skills assessment and Individual Learner Action Plan.

Participants undertake Basic Food Hygiene training as they must cook and clean for each other whilst on the residential in week 2.

Week TwoResidential

In this week the group participate in an action packed residential in the Peak District. This includes a variety of team building and problem solving activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, caving, rafting and orienteering. The residential helps to develop the social and life skills of the participants and also builds relationships between the team members and the staff involved.

Weeks Three to SixCommunity Project

This involves a 4-week environmental community based project, which benefits the local area. Each team has the responsibility for the planning, fundraising and implementation the project.

In this period the Team members will also be able to access Manual Handling, Emergency First Aid and Risk Assessment training.

Week Thirteen Edexcel course

Team members learn about employability rights, appropriate behaviour and ways of gaining valuable experience and additional skills from working in the voluntary sector and how that can be transferred in to the world of paid employment.

Weeks Seven to Eight Work Placements

Team members take part in a 2-week individual placement where they get the chance to gain hands-on work experience in an area of their choice.

Groundwork would like to thank all the organisations that have kindly allowed our volunteers to gain experience with them.

Week Nine Next Steps

Team members participate in a variety of activities to improve their job readiness and employability on completion of the programme.

A typical Next Steps week will include:• A CV Workshop • Job Search• Mock Interviews• Employer Visits• Support with Career

Awareness

Weeks Ten to Eleven Team Challenge

The final team challenge focuses on helping and caring for disadvantaged people in the local community. The team are responsible for devising and carrying out the project, as well as raising funds for it. Teams also need to build relationships with the people they are helping.

It is estimated that during the programme each participant contributes £1000 of benefit to the community through the community project and team challenge activities. This investment into the local community increases the awareness of the needs of the community, of ability and disability, and of local environmental issues.

Week TwelveFinal Presentation

Team members participate in a final presentation award ceremony and receive their certificates. Course participants will also ensure that all log book and work for Key Skill qualifications is completed.

QualificationsTeam members have the opportunity to gain several qualifications and certification whilst on the programme, including:

• Prince’s Trust Certificate in Employment, Teamwork & Community Skills

• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate• Emergency First Aid Certificate• Manual Handling Certificate• Sexual Health Awareness• Healthy Eating Awareness• Residential provider Certificate of Achievement• Edexcel Work Skills Award Level 1• Literacy and Numeracy Assessment• Health and Safety Certificate

Team Member Feedback

“A truly uplifting experience with all the helpfulness, enthusiasm and really hard work put in by the staff and the youngsters doing work that we could not have achieved but which was necessary.” John and Silvia, Oldham (Community Project beneficiaries)

“Groundwork inspired me to continue working towards becoming a nursery teacher. I now work in a pre-school and have started college. Prince’s Trust is a worthwhile course to do. I gained many qualifications that helped me to get the job that I’ve always wanted. Thank-you Groudwork!”Nichola, aged 25 and from Oldham (Team member)

“I wanted a chance to work and break the cycle. Groundwork was very helpful - the staff were billiant and the team residential was fantastic. I completed the Prince’s Trust Team Course it helped me with my confidence and improved my skills for my chosen career.”Clair, aged 25 and from Middleton (Team member)

“Groundwork is a place of learning, personal development and training. It helps you to recognise your personal qualities and how to exploit them for success. I would advise any anyone who is struggling or unsure of where they are up to in life to let Groundwork put you back on track for a brighter future.” Damien, aged 23 and from Oldham (Team member)

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale Achievements...

3,000 young people have taken part since 1998.

There have been 43 different Team Leaders delivering the Prince’s Trust programme since 1998. Two of the current Team Leaders Jill Eckersley and Jo Shaw have delivered over 50 teams between them.

In 2008 Jill Eckersley was the finalist in the Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Leadership Award.

Lisa Daly one of our volunteers on the Middleton team was awarded the Prince’s Trust National Young Achiever of the Year Award in 2009. This was through Lisa transforming her life through sheer determination, inner strength and a willingness to learn how to cope with and not be beaten by the traumatic events in her past. Lisa was also a Young Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and became a Prince’s Trust Team Leader – something she described as her dream job.

The young people on the programme have fund-raised over £50,000 for projects to benefit their local communities.

Groundwork have delivered over 200 Prince’s Trust teams across Oldham, Rochdale, Middleton, Bury and Todmorden. These have taken place in over 50 different venues.

Team members taking part in Groundwork Prince’s Trust have completed over 200 community projects with groups in the area!

There have been over 500 Team Challenges organised and funded by Groundwork Prince’s Trust teams!

2012 will see Groundwork Prince’s Trust support the 3,000th young person from Oldham and Rochdale! This year will also see the 1,000th Groundwork Prince’s Trust Team member supported in partnership with Hopwood Hall College.

200 Teams have raised more than £50,000 for local good causes.

Thanks to...All the Groundwork Prince’s Trust staff who have helped to contribute so much to the programme over the last 14 years.

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale staff and Board Members for their support of the programme.

The Prince’s Trust – in particular the Programme Executive, Susan Williams, and Regional Manager, Chris Hammond.

Connexions

Jobcentre Plus

Hopwood Hall College – in particular Seema Ansari, Luke Goodlet and John Spindler for not only their support but hosting our event today!

Oldham Fire Service

Oldham & Rochdale Probation Services

Oldham Athletic Football Club

Positive Steps Oldham

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Family Support Unit

Rough Edges

TQ Education Tesco

All the organisations and groups who have participated in the Community Project and Team Challenge aspects of the programme.

All the work placement providers who have allowed the young people to gain valuable work experience.

Everyone who has contributed to the funding of the programme through grants, donations, use of property and participation in events. All the organisations and groups that have assisted and supported Groundwork with the referral of young people onto the programme.

Most importantly all the young people who have participated on the Team programme over the last 10 years… and thank you all for helping to celebrate the achievements of the Groundwork Prince’s Trust programme.

Date Team Location Team Leader

05/11/12 R104 Hopwood Hall Rochdale Simon Dean14/01/13 O88 Oldham Brook Clinic Adeel Abbas 21/01/13 R105 Kirkholt Drop in Centre Nicholas Mockridge11/02/13 O89 Oldham Groundwork Joanne Shaw25/02/13 R106 Hopwood Hall Middleton Jill Eckerlsley11/03/13 R107 Hopwood Hall Rochdale Simon Dean

For more information on these teams or other Groundwork youth projects please call:

Jill Eckersley 07739 978 794

Joanne Shaw 07739 978 791

Simon Dean 07565 101 860

Nicholas Mockridge 07717 457 431

Adeel Abbas 07739 978 796

General office enquiries 0161 624 1444

Team Start Dates:

Scan the QR code to find out more about the Team programme online.

Groundwork Oldham & RochdaleGroundwork Oldham & Rochdale helps people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build skills and job prospects, and to live and work in a greener way. Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale is an independent registered charity with 30 years of experience working with partners to deliver successful projects in the Oldham and Rochdale area. Find out more about Groundwork’s services and opportunities in the local area at www.gwor.org.uk or call 0161 624 1444.

The Prince’s TrustYouth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped more than 700,000 young people since 1976 and supports 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at www.princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.

GroundworkOldhamRochdale

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