Great START for young people from the Colin area

More than half of the young participants involved with the Start programme at the west Belfast site are now moving on to further education or a training course having gained qualifications and new skills over the last six months.

Annmarie Clarke (19), from Poleglass, felt like she was doing the ‘same routines at home almost every day’ before joining the Start programme. 

“After I left school I did a course at tech, but only lasted three weeks.  I knew I needed a job but I didn’t have Maths or English,” said Annmarie.

“People were really friendly at Start and the place was always full of laughter.  This led me to want to keep returning to class every day.  I’ve achieved my Essential Skills Level 2 in Maths and English, which is the equivalent of GCSE grade c, as well as loads of other qualifications.  

“I’d say to anyone who found themselves in a similar boat to me to get up and just make something of your life, and Start is the correct way to begin.  You get all the support you need and it really feels like one big family here. 

“I’m going to go back to tech to study three A-levels for ‘Travel and Tourism’ as well as get a part-time job,” said Annmarie.

Like Annmarie, 19-year-old Lizzie McAree from the Grosvenor Road wanted to achieve qualifications in Maths and English.

“My previous experiences of education were bad, as I didn’t like school at all.  Start gave me a second chance to get the qualifications we didn’t have and build new relationships.  I’m now heading to do a course in youth work and really can’t wait,” said Lizzie.

At Youth Initiatives the young people on Start achieved almost 60 accredited qualifications between them.  Rory Blake-Knox, Youth Worker for Start at Youth Initiatives, said:

“Youth Initiatives aims to awaken hope and inspire initiative among young people and the Start programme has offered young people a chance to do this.  Young people can learn while having craic and build relationships with other young people in a positive environment. 

“Through gaining qualifications, getting career advice, one to one support, going on residentials and trips, and getting involved in their local community the young people have started to realise their potential and are now more equipped to progress on to work, training or studying.”

Start is a partnership programme consisting of Include Youth, Northern Ireland Alternatives, Lisburn YMCA, Youth Initiatives and Challenge for Youth.  Out of the 46 young people who engaged in the first phase of the six month employability programme more than one third have secured paid work.

Dearbhla Holohan, Start Programme Coordinator at Include Youth, said:  

“The strength of Start is that we can bring the skills and experience of five organisations together and offer young people the best possible opportunities where they live.”

Start is funded by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL), through the Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF) and young people aged 16 to 24 who need education, employment and training can take part through sites in the Lisburn, North Down and Colin areas.

Start is currently recruiting for phase two of the programme, if you would like to find out more email start@includeyouth.org or phone Dearbhla Holohan, Start Programme Coordinator at Include Youth, on 028 9031 1007.  Check out our photos here or send us a tweet.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:  For more information please contact Sharon Whittaker, Communications Officer at Include Youth on 028 9031 1007 or sharon@includeyouth.org