Title of Project – Way2Work#CashBack
Theme – Journey to Employment
Project period : 2017 – 2020
Target Group – Young people disadvantaged by:-
- Living in areas of deprivation; and
- Being unemployed, not in education or training; and
- Being excluded, or at risk of exclusion from school; and
- Being at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending/re-offending
Age range : 14 to 21 years
Number of Young People project expects to work with : 360
Summary of Project
The project aimed to deliver four group work programmes annually each lasting 10 sessions with individual follow up support for up to 18 months and job practice placements. It set out to provide intensive 1:1 mentoring and group work to those young people furthest from the work force and provide follow up support to sustain positive destinations.
It focussed on two key areas: the acquisition and development of the life and employability skills young people need to pursue and sustain chosen destinations; and a realistic understanding of today’s working world within the context of increasingly competitive and selective labour and further education markets which narrow opportunities for those who do not attain at school, for whatever reason. Young people were to be offered accredited learning – the Bridges Project own Employability Group, retail skills, CSCS preparation groups, accredited REHIS and first aid qualifications. Where appropriate, young people were able to be supported to participate in SQA accredited Tenancy Award, small animal care, educational support and activity programmes.
Areas where project aimed to deliver:
East Lothian – areas in the: Ross High School, Tranent; Preston Lodge High School, Prestonpans and Musselburgh Grammar School, Musselburgh clusters. These areas are situated to the west of the county and include the most deprived localities of Fa’side, Preston, Seton and Gosford and Musselburgh East
Midlothian – the cluster areas served by Newbattle Community High School, Dalkeith High School and Lasswade High School where the pockets of multiple deprivation are greatest, particularly in the communities of Woodburn, Easthouses, central Dalkeith, Mayfield, and Gorebridge. Penicuik and Loanhead where referrals have been made due to mental health, autism, social isolation etc.
