Organisation: Fair Shares Gloucestershire
Website: https://www.fairshares.org.uk/
Project name: Gloucester Time Bank: Young People's Programme
Priority Type: Supporting Victims and Reducing Reoffending
Total Investment: 50000
Awarded: 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2022/2023, 2023/2024
Location: Gloucester
About the project:
The project aims to work with disadvantaged and disabled young people in Gloucestershire, helping them in the transition to adulthood, and to become part of a community. The young people will be referred to the project from a range of organisations such as the Betaris SWAT ( Serious about Work and Training) project for young people who are outside of mainstream school and who face barriers to traditional learning, and other organisations including Gloucestershire Youth Support Team, Gloucestershire College, local schools and Active Impact which supports young people with disabilities and their families. The programme aims to help the young people to:- Develop skills and confidence so that they can progress in pathways towards employment and avoid being NEET- Rebuild a positive relationship with the community, giving them a sense of belonging and reducing the likelihood of antisocial behaviours- Provide welcome group sessions for disabled young people who are transitioning from education.- Introducing them to Strength & Based approach to working in the community so that young people have a sense of being part of their community, reducing their sense of being marginalised and silenced. The programme will run 4 days per week offering:- Individual support and mentoring to identify goals and build confidence- Practical skills training (DIY, gardening etc.) in groups and 1:1- Community activity to give to others and contribute to the community- Opportunities to socialise and build networks of support- Welcoming groups which brings together young people with disabilities and other members of the community to support them to be active members of their community. The young people will be encouraged to get involved in activities which interest them, and we will consult them in the type of activity they want to do. In addition to the group work and community activities, we will support the young people individually, through mentoring and support. The groups will enable them to benefit from the experience of other community members, as well as building peer support networks. We also seek to challenge their thinking and beliefs especially negative ones that prevent them from moving on in life . Many of the young people have had very limited life experiences, some may not have left their home town, visited the countryside or large city or may not have encountered people with different beliefs and life styles. We take the young people out to places and events which challenge their limited experiences. This may be a trip to London to visit the Houses of Parliament or to go rock climbing or a helping to build a shed for a disabled people project. Finally, the young people will be able to benefit in the future from our GEM Navigator who supports people furthest from the labour market to progress towards employment.
