The Prince's Trust helps young people to overcome barriers and get their lives back on track. Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, it helps 14-30 year-olds to realise their potential and transform their lives.
Teamwork is the driving force behind much of what The Prince's Trust delivers for young people, so much so that it has named one of its programmes Team. During 12 weeks of personal development training Prince's Trust teams participate in a residential activity week, work on projects in the local community, stage a presentation event and get some help planning for their futures. The Prince's Trust Team programme is delivered across the county by Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service
Leicester City is a committed supporter of the work of The Prince's Trust, providing a base at the stadium for the Team programme where the club staff provide a wide range of support to help the young people progress. Between January and April 2007 Team 62 were based at the Walkers Stadium. Here is a flavour of what they achieved written by the Team themselves.
Week 1 - Induction Week
We began our learning journey on Monday 29 January when 21 young people attended the Leicester City Football Club Team room. We didn't know each other so began our team-building and 'get to know you' activities. The team grew to know each other and completed first-aid and food hygiene courses. We also discussed our residential week and planned our weekly menu, shopping lists and cooking/cleaning rotas.
Week 2 - Residential Week
This week we attended a Foundry Mountain Activities centre in Great Hucklow, Derbyshire. We completed outdoor pursuit activities such as rock climbing, abseiling and caving. We also learnt each others skills and interests. This knowledge will allow us to work well as a team and to improve our own personal skills.
Week 3-4 - Fundraising
Through these weeks we planned and raised funds to allow us to buy materials towards our community project which will occur in Weeks 5 and 6 of the programme. For these fundraising weeks we completed a sponsored walk, a fundraising raffle, bag packing at Costcutters and Iceland Leicester. Our employed team member also held a car boot sale in aid of the project.
Weeks 5-6 - Community Project
We completed our project at the 'Shree Girnara Soni Samaj' Community Centre on St. James Street in Leicester City. We wanted to renovate a room to allow the centre to make a 'youth room' that was neutral in colour and had ICT and recreational facilities. We worked really hard to empty the unused room, remove plaster from and re-plaster the walls. We then painted the ceilings, the walls and the floor. The project has really helped us improve our skills in team working and communication. We have learnt about others beliefs, views and values alongside DIY skills and time management.
Weeks 7-8 - Work Placements
For these two weeks we went our separate ways to focus on our own experiences. We hoped to gain experience in our chosen field of work. These experiences included placements at Stretton's Outdoor Activities Centre, Marks and Spencer, Harlequin Motors and Walkers Tyre Services.
Weeks 9-12
Over the last four weeks of the course we got some help planning for our futures including preparing CV's and working on interview techniques and letter writing skills. We also had a presentation from the Driving Standards Agency.
For our Team challenge we returned to the Shree Girnara Soni Samaj Community Centre where we installed a pool table. We also went to Coalville and did some conservation work with the British Conservation Trust.
On Thursday 12th April we staged a presentation event at the Walkers Stadium in front of an invited audience. Foxes defender Richard Stearman presented us with our Prince's Trust certificates for completing the course. What a way to finish!!
To find out about joining a Team programme ring Juliet Briggs at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue on 0116 287 2241 or visit www.team-up.org.uk.
Anyone who would like to learn more about The Prince's Trust should contact the Leicestershire & Rutland office on 0116 253 7806 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk
About The Prince's Trust
Youth charity The Prince's Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 14- to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
The Prince of Wales's charity has helped more than 550,000 young people since 1976 and supports 100 more each day. Almost three in four young people The Trust helped last year moved into work, education or training.
2007 is the 10th anniversary of the Prince's Trust Football Initiative, which was originally launched by HRH The Prince's of Wales in August 1997. The Football Initiative uses the appeal of the game and the practical support of professional football clubs to help young people on Prince's Trust programmes to succeed. In particular the initiative aims to boost the confidence, motivation and team working skills of young people and help them to gain new qualifications.
The Team Programme
Not up to much? Join a Team that gets up to plenty!
If you're unemployed, unexcited and unsure of your future, we have something to get you going: The Prince's Trust Team programme is delivered across Leicestershire by Leicester Fire & Rescue Service.
What you'll do…
• be part of a team of 15 people for 12 weeks
• take on community projects of your choosing
• spend an action-packed residential week
• get two weeks work experience - perhaps at a football club
• and a lot more
What's in it for you…
• practical skills that help you in a job and in life
• new friends and a lot of fun
• belief in what you can accomplish
• a national recognised qualification
• career advice
• help with your CV and job search
• you'll know you're making a difference in your community
How football is helping
In Leicester you could join a Team which is based at Leicester City's Walkers Stadium. The Foxes help us by providing the following types of support:
• coaching sessions
• club facilities for meetings and Team activities
• work placements for Team members
• help on CVs and job searches
• match tickets
• meet players, manager and staff
• an inside look at professional sport, with stadium and ground tours and more
Answers to your questions…
Who can go on Team?
UK residents aged 16-25 who are unemployed
How much does the course cost?
It's free! You can even keep your benefits while on the course.
Where you can join a Team?
At over 300 locations around the UK. Find out when the next teams are starting in your Region or Country: Call free on 0800 842 842 or visit princes-trust.org.uk
