A project to improve the life skills of young care leavers in Torfaen has received over half a million pounds from the Big Lottery Fund.
The money, awarded from the Big Lottery’s £6million Life Skills Project, will provide learning, employment and education opportunities for around one hundred care leavers over a four-year period.
Gareth Newton, from the Big Lottery Fund, said funding was only awarded to projects whose bids ‘reached the top of the tree’ and that the size of the grant awarded to Torfaen reflected the quality of the proposal.
"Care leavers have the same aspirations as all young people,’ he said. ‘This money will help to make the path into employment smoother for them. I look forward to coming back here to talk to young people and see what a difference the money has made."
Councillor Brian Mawby, executive member for health, social care and well-being, accepted nearly £530,000 on behalf of Torfaen Young People’s Support Service (TYPSS) which put together the bid and will be co-ordinating the Employability Scheme. He said young people would be consulted on the best way of using the money.
"This funding will really enhance the service we can offer care leavers and will be well-used to help them to improve their life skills, have a better start in life and ensure their futures are happy and successful," he said.
Employment and training manager Gail Clarke and her team will now help young care leavers to develop the key skills, life and social skills they need to find jobs and participate economically and socially as citizens. This involves finding work experience, training opportunities and apprenticeships for young people who might not otherwise find an opening in the workforce.
Jeffrey Blake, 16, is being supported by Gail and is already planning his future career. "I’m already in college doing the public services course," he said. "Then I’m going on police training and I’ll take it from there."
Earlier this year, a heating and ventilation apprentice from Torfaen, who was helped to find his job by staff at TYPSS, was named Welsh Junior Apprentice of the Year.