Date: 15th August, 2019
Ten young people have recently completed the Prince’s Trust Team programme, and a presentation event was held at Hamworthy fire station on 8 August.
The programme is run by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), and the celebration event enabled the successful participants to demonstrate to family, friends and distinguished guests what they had achieved over the previous 12 weeks and their hopes for the future.
The group were all awarded a Prince’s Trust Team completion certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell. Each of them has also achieved the Employability, Teamwork and Community Skills Qualification as well as a Level 3 First Aid certificate.
Debbie Harvey, Prince’s Trust Team Leader for DWFRS, highlighted the achievements of the group since starting the programme in May: “Team 119 have worked really hard over the past 12 weeks to tackle the challenges that have been placed in front of them. They overcame many fears during the residential in Dartmoor, created boardwalks on Upton Heath Country Park to make areas more accessible to the public, and delivered activity sessions for the elderly and a group of young carers.”
She added: “One of the biggest challenges the young people face during the course is completing a two week work placement but all ten of the team achieved this and we thank all the local businesses and organisations who gave them the opportunity and supported them through this part of the course.”
During the presentation, Tom Knights, one of the Team 119 graduates, said: “I felt nervous in the first few weeks as I didn’t know anyone but, as the weeks went by, I’ve made new friends and my confidence has grown. The best part of the course was our week in Dartmoor, where I gave everything a go and learned that I like to be encouraged to do things I wouldn’t normally do. I got a great reference from my work experience placement and am now focused on gaining full time employment.”
The next Team programme starts on Monday 23 September and will be held at Hamworthy fire station. If you are aged 16-25, are not in education, employment or training, and would like to gain skills and qualifications to help move you into work, please contact Debbie Harvey, Prince’s Trust Team Leader, on 07500 066134 or email [email protected]