Lifetracks project launches at St Paul's Carnival
A groundbreaking youth engagement project, which helps young people improve their chances of finding a job, by providing face-to-face support and guidance, is launched at St Pauls Carnival today.
Although based at the Rathbone Centre in Easton, The Lifetracks project, which has been funded by the Vodafone Foundation and v, will be taking to the streets, parks and shopping centres of St Pauls, helping some of the city’s most disadvantaged young people with their work, study and training.
Lifetracks also partners with a number of existing services in the community so that young people are able to access help in a different ways.
Neil Ramsay, Bristol Lifetracks Engagement Team Leader, commented: “The nature of the Lifetracks work means that we’re totally flexible and reactive to the needs of the individual.
“Our focus is about taking young people away from negative behaviours and influences and inspiring them into becoming the person they want to be. Whether it’s going back to school, applying for a job or college or going down a creative route, we can be there every step of the way - even if things don’t go to plan.”
The work in St Pauls is one element of the UK-wide, three-year, Lifetracks programme being delivered by a consortium of four respected UK youth charities - The Foyer Federation, Skill, Rathbone and YouthNet - thanks to a £5m investment by the Vodafone Foundation and a further £1.5m match funding from v, The National Young Volunteers Service.
Vodafone Foundation Director, Andrew Dunnett, said: “Young people have always been a key focus of the Vodafone Foundation’s work and now, more than ever, young people in the UK need help and support to take the next step into work, training or study and so realise their potential. We are proud to be funding this vital work with Lifetracks.”
The Lifetracks project in Bristol is looking for two more people from the community to join its youth engagement team. Anyone interested in applying should visit www.rathboneuk.org.
Media contacts:
For media information, please contact Katy Miller or Sarah Wilson on 0207 250 5716, or out of hours on 07766 660 755. Email media@youthnet.org
Notes to Editors:
About YouthNet: Online communications charity YouthNet specialises in using new technologies to inspire, support and engage young people across the UK. YouthNet delivers a range of online services to thousands of young people each month via two award-winning websites, TheSite.org and do-it.org.uk. YouthNet is proud to lead the Consortium and is bringing Lifetracks to life on the web. www.youthnet.org
About Rathbone: Rathbone supports around 14,000 of the UK’s most socially excluded 14 to 24 year-olds each year, helping them succeed and re-engage with learning through a range of tailor-made programmes. www.rathboneuk.org
About Skill: Skill promotes learning and employment opportunities for all disabled people over 16. This includes a free information and advice service for individuals and their families and the professionals who work with them, via a telephone and SMS helpline, email and website. www.skill.org.uk
About The Foyer Federation: The Foyer Federation transforms lives by supporting disadvantaged young people through their transition to independence. It works in partnership with a UK-wide network of Foyers, and develops programmes that integrate accommodation with training, job search, personal support and motivation. www.foyer.net
About the Vodafone Foundation: The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged young people via sport and music initiatives and specific projects across Vodafone's 24 local Foundations worldwide www.vodafonefoundation.org
About v: v aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. They do this by funding voluntary organisations all over England to create inspiring, diverse opportunities and by helping to overcome barriers that stop people from taking action to improve lives, communities and the planet. v’s aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally – and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated. v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement. See vinspired.com for more information.