Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, joined up with youth charity The Prince’s Trust ‘Team programme’ and Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service in Newcastle last week, to hear more about how the charity is helping to give disadvantaged young people in the area a fresh start and change their lives for the better.

Almost one in five young people in the UK are not in work, education or training.  That figure stands at more than one in four for 16-24 year olds in Newcastle. The Prince’s Trust helps to address this problem by giving practical and financial support to disadvantaged young people who need it most – those who are unemployed, leaving care, underachieving in education and those who have served time in the prison system.

One of a number of programmes delivered by The Prince’s Trust in the North East, the ‘Team’ programme is a 12-week personal development course aimed primarily at unemployed young people aged 16-25, to help them move closer towards employment.  As well as other bases across Newcastle, the Team programme is delivered in the city from Gosforth Community Fire Station by Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service staff.

The Team programme sees groups of around 12 to 15 young people taking part in a challenging programme that begins with team-building activities, including a week at a residential activity centre, followed by teamwork on real projects in the local community, as well as individual work placements. However, some employees also join Team for just 20 days, sponsored by their employers – to develop their leadership skills and share experiences.

During her visit, Catherine watched Team programme participants undertake an operational Fire and Rescue Service drill before discussing how The Prince’s Trust programme had changed their lives, with many now having jobs, apprenticeships or courses lined up after the programme ends. The young people then grilled Catherine on her work as an MP, and about how to get more young people active in politics.

Catherine said:

‘It was a real honour to meet with Team members at Gosforth Community Fire Station and hear more about their hopes and plans for the future after taking part in the programme.

‘The group were confident, articulate and full of ideas, and the progress they have made in just 12 weeks is impressive.

‘The Prince’s Trust is clearly playing a vital role in supporting young people in Newcastle, and it’s also really positive to see the local Fire and Rescue service playing an important part in this work.’

More information about The Prince’s Trust work in the North East can be found here: www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/regions_and_countries/north_east.aspx and here: www.twfire.gov.uk