Youth Matters are working with a range of young people and adults at the heart of its learning projects and activities.  Generally aged between 16 and 21 they are in the main not in employment, education or training. Youth Matters provides programmes of informal education based on social and life skills training and the development of basic skills.  Central to this training is the relationship between the staff and the Partners and an understanding by Youth Matters of the young adults needs. Youth Matters has developed life and social skill programmes and activities that form part of the and interest and values of the Partners.

Youth Matters supports and works with young people aged 14—21 years old who, in the main, are ‘at risk’ within the community.  Youth Matters challenges young people enabling them to consider positive options that develop self esteem, personal integrity and build confidence.  At Youth Matters we provide support to all young people who have need of it. Its ‘open door’ policy has seen young people from many differing backgrounds finding support and help as they develop into mature young men and women.  Youth Matters works in partnership with a range of local and national agencies and organisations.

The project that was undertaken at Youth Matters was the Community Carpentry Course.  The capital funding that was awarded to the project was used to renovate a small outbuilding at Youth Matters premises to create a carpentry workshop.  The project developed training in basic carpentry skills, basic and key skills, linked to community provision.  Due to the time required to complete the renovation project's actual delivery of training was delayed hence affecting the overall number of learners engaged.  The beneficiaries targeted were those not in employment, low skilled and offenders.  Excellent links were made with community groups and organisations to recruit the learners.  In addition to the carpentry training a service was developed and offered to local nurseries and playgroups to repair furniture and wooden toys as well as the offer of producing small wooden toys.  34 new learners took part in the programme.  OCN accreditation in basic skills and training in first aid where achieved.  The project trained a number of people from a voluntary sector organisation to repair and mend furniture for a local restoration project.  The project was successful in supporting two clients to achieve college places training to be carpenters.  One of which stood up and spoke about his experience at the Learning Partnership's Annual event - he is an excellent example of how from being disengaged, not having worked for two years and on benefits, finding an outlet which interested him, with people who cared and supported him into college to train as a carpenter.

Contact:  Doug McWilliams         Tel: 01234 302111

email:    support@youthmatters.info