SUPPORT
( Front ) Shona Jukic and Matthew Atkinson , members of the latest 14-strong Prince ’ s Trust Team programme with ( from left ) team leader Martin Copley , UKSE area manager Sarah Thorpe and Karen Winspear of Senses Wellbeing Centre .
TEES TEAMWORK
UKSE supports community through difficult times
D espite the many additional challenges faced this year by UKSE and the businesses it supports , the Tata Steel subsidiary has not forgotten its commitment to Teesside ’ s local communities .
Its Community Support Fund , set up to improve the lives of people living in steel areas , has now donated more than £ 340,000 to a whole range of projects in the north .
On Teesside they include charities and groups that help children with disabilities , the unemployed and those struggling with addiction and mental health issues , as well as projects providing sports facilities .
A long-standing relationship with the Prince ’ s Trust at the Education Training Collective ( Etc .) sees UKSE support its Team Programmes that help local unemployed young people into work . UKSE has now provided around £ 64,000 to back more than 50 young teams and the community projects they carry out as part of their 12- week programme , which also includes work experience and help with job application and interview skills .
The most recent saw 14 young people aged 16 to 25 from Middlesbrough and Redcar clear an overgrown area and build raised flowerbeds at the new Senses Wellbeing Centre in Skelton .
UKSE provided £ 1,200 to help the team buy the materials and plants they needed .
The centre , established thanks to a major community fundraising effort , will provide a range of fitness and wellbeing sessions for all , including people with special needs , disabilities and dementia .
Nineteen-year-old Matthew Atkinson of Redcar is one of many young Teessiders determined to carve out a successful future and has benefitted from this latest Prince ’ s Trust programme .
“ I learnt such a lot , including about working successfully in a team ,” he said .
“ And that will be a real help to me as I am now about to start basic training with the Army .”
Shona Jukic , 25 , from Middlesbrough also praised the programme .
“ I really appreciate everything the Prince ’ s Trust has done for me ,” she said .
“ Presenting our Senses project to the UKSE panel for funding was a challenge for me but boosted my confidence and I am now looking at options for the career I want in art and design .”
Sarah Thorpe , UKSE ’ s area manager , said : “ The young people and the Prince ’ s Trust are to be congratulated on continuing these valuable programmes in difficult times .
Victorious – the award-winning Prince ’ s Trust team .
“ We are equally determined to maintain our help to local communities alongside the support for businesses with investment and premises .”
The Prince ’ s Trust team recently won a silver award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards .
Head of department Gillian Hutchinson said : “ It is a fantastic recognition for the team . We really value our ongoing relationship with UKSE which I know is envied by other providers as it makes such a difference and it has been even more vital this year .
“ The money means the teams can undertake larger and more valuable community projects which benefits everyone .
“ The Dragons ’ Den session with UKSE to win the funding develops skills that have a lasting impact on students and makes up part of the evidence for their qualification .”
See ukse . co . uk for details of UKSE ’ s support for businesses with investments of up to £ 1m , office and workshop space in purpose-built Innovation Centres at Hartlepool and Redcar and for community projects .
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