Project: Brighter Futures Plus

The Brighter Futures Plus programme supports young people who have barriers to employment to develop key literacy, numeracy and interpersonal skills, and encourages them to make active choices for their future.

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Project feature

Brighter Futures Plus is run by the Northamptonshire Training and Development Partnership. Programmes are tailored to the needs of young people in the communities and delivered by local training providers, one of which is Youth Works Community Interest Company, which covers the Corby/Kettering area. Overall, over 300 participants across the region will benefit from increased skills and employability as a result of the programme.

A fundamental concept underlying all Brighter Futures Plus activities is supporting disengaged young people to take ownership of their learning programme. Caring guidance and ongoing mentoring are an important part of the process because many of these young people lack confidence in the learning process and in their abilities. Youth Works CIC provides a range of interesting and stimulating courses - including 'Boozeville', deaf awareness, sports, and arts and crafts - from which the learner chooses for their personalised learning plan. They make their choice after an initial two-week period, and make a commitment to see it through - 'because that's what it's like in the world'. In addition to regular one-to-one mentoring sessions, participants are part of a group of up to twelve who stay together (when on same courses) throughout the 19- or 20-week programme (which can be extended up to 26 weeks, if required). Working with others for this period gives them an opportunity to improve their confidence and social skills.

In the Corby and Kettering areas, all referrals come through the local Connexions office, with whom Youth Works CIC are in weekly contact. If a person self-refers, perhaps hearing about the project through word of mouth, they are asked to contact Connexions for a referral.

The programme includes:

• initial assessments and a learning plan tailored to individual interest, aptitude and need
• a two-week trial period, after which the participants sign an agreement
• working towards numerous qualifications including literacy, numeracy and IT
• ongoing information, advice and guidance support
• mentoring
• 'taster' work experience, community projects, and work placements (where possible).

Carol Copeland, director of Youth Works CIC, spoke about the importance of changing the 'victim' mentality. Upskilling and getting young people into education is important but, for many of the young people they work with, it's about taking responsibility for themselves. 'A lot of them didn't finish school. They think they have no control or responsibility over things and accept what life gives them.' Daily living practicalities are paramount and it is crucial to work on personal and social skills so that they will feel good about themselves. Key skills like literacy and numeracy are emphasised so that they may comfortably go into a shop to buy something, and know what change they should receive; or the ability to read and complete forms. They also learn coping strategies - asking for help, finding new ways to do things, learning how to opt out of an argument (should they so choose).

Learners on the course work with staff to make the centre in Corby a 'safe place' for everyone - no bullying or aggressive behaviour is permitted. Many of the young people don't have a safe place outside of those walls and it provides a place where they can learn new skills, to be deployed back out in 'the real world'. Community projects and work 'tasters' allow participants to practise their new social skills in a secure environment. Some of the project participants have antisocial behaviour orders or have been involved with the police, and it is especially important for them to try to see themselves as a valued part of the community. Not everyone decides they want to get a job or do further training when they complete the course, but most have a much better idea of their options and leave knowing that there is an established network of support to help them move forward into their chosen future.

A new group was at the centre, just into their second week. They were already finding it fun, even though a number of them had not been in an educational environment for a long time, having left school (or been expelled) three or four years previously.

• 'You get asked what to do, not told what to do, like at school.'
• 'It's not too hard, not too much pressure and you get lots of breaks.'
• 'You get a lot of choice in it - you choose what you do, you choose your hours.'
• 'They're really easy to talk to; you can tell them anything.'

Several participants who had completed the course spoke about their experiences. Thomas was recommended to try the course by a friend. He wanted to be a bricklayer but didn't get the grades for the course. He messed about in school because there were so many people, he couldn't concentrate, and was often told to leave class. He smiled when talking about Brighter Futures Plus. He didn't have a single day off during the course, he was enjoying it so much. 'The teachers [youth workers], they're fun, they're not like teachers in school, who give you the work to do and not help you with it. They come over and help you with it. You have conversations with them like you wouldn't really talk to a teacher. They're better than any youth work course that I've been to.'

After working on maths and English qualifications during the course, he enrolled at Rathbone Academy and is now doing maths, English and IT in the hope of being able to go to Tresham College to learn bricklaying next year. 'They don't chuck you out here and I didn't mess about, just had fun and done what I was supposed to do. I'm glad they gave me a second chance.'

Sara left school at 14 due to depression and was home schooled. She had been out of an educational and social environment for so long that she lacked confidence with people and in her abilities. When she came to Brighter Futures Plus she discovered that 'most people were in a similar situation - not used to being in education and lost confidence'. She found the work varied and rewarding and particularly enjoyed maths and English. 'Before, I was just reading and copying and working it out on my own. Here, we were told things and worked together and were explained more than a book would.' She earned her Literacy Level 1 as well as AQAs in deaf awareness, recruitment and selection and applying for jobs.

She enjoyed gardening work in the community with the programme and then ran the café in the Corby centre. Sara is now on a course doing IT and also has a job doing beauty treatments in people's homes - something she has always wanted to do. But it doesn't end there. She completed her maths qualification at Rathbone Academy and has an interview to attend a course in Criminology and Forensic Science at Northampton University next year. 'If I didn't go on this course I don't think I would have ever applied. I would have just got a job in a shop and that would have been it. I've learnt that I don't have to be shy all the time. I've got opinions that need to be heard. [At Brighter Futures Plus] they're committed to each individual person. I've been off the course for six months now and they still keep in touch to see that I'm OK.'

Andrew enjoyed the course so much his first comment was 'I wish I could come back again.'

'Every week you got a sheet and could pick what you wanted. It's about what you want to do. The teachers [youth workers] are not telling you what to do. I think that's good.'

Andrew wanted to study photography but didn't achieve the necessary GCSEs. At Brighter Futures Plus he got two NVQs in English and maths and three AQAs (deaf awareness, applying for jobs and basic food hygiene). He is now in the local college studying media and working on three more GCSEs. He is back on track for his career, as these qualifications should allow him to enter a photography course and follow his dream to become a studio photographer.

'It's not about giving them a choice; it's about them realising they have a choice,' said Carol. 'People can do whatever they like and you can't stop them but you always have a choice how you respond.' Part of the challenge is getting them engaged and committed. Carol's key to this is setting them small achievable targets and supporting them in achieving these while, at the same time, holding them to their commitment.

'If you grow up continually believing you fail then you think you're a failure. They think they failed school. School failed them. As a society we should be enabling them to do what they need to do and if it doesn't work in a classroom we should be finding them another way of doing it.'

The most inspiring moments? 'When a young person can start to look you in the eye. Or a girl who didn't have the confidence to walk through town, being able to do so. Someone who can't use public transport, and then they can. Someone who can't make change from a £5 note, and now they can. Someone being proud of who they are.'

In the words of Beverley Whatmore, who manages delivery of Brighter Futures Plus, 'Everyone has potential and it doesn't necessarily come out through conventional education.' These young people are fortunate to have the chance to discover and become more of what they can be, in a safe environment.

Contact details

Beverley Whatmore, Director, Northamptonshire Training and Development Partnership
Northamptonshire Training and Development Partnership
Aston Recruitment and Training Ltd, 47-49 Gold Street, Northampton, , NN1 1RA
(01604) 230371
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