- Free course for unemployed 16-25 year-olds
- Week of training builds skills and confidence
- Courses cover a range of interests
- Mentoring continues beyond the week
Unemployed young people with an interest in theatre, have been given the opportunity to hone their acting, writing and production skills at a Get Started in Theatre workshop run by The Princes Trust.
The one-week training course in conjunction with the Everyman and Playhouse theatres, gave participants a unique chance to learn from professional actors, directors and backstage crew. The five days of intense training came to a close on Friday with a short drama piece written and performed by the group.
Get Started in Theatre is just one of the wide range of national courses aimed at building the skills and confidence of young people who are out of employment and education. Participants can find a specialised week which covers their particular area of interest, such as cookery, music, product design, film and radio.
Courses are free to unemployed 16-25 year-olds, include lunch, travel expenses and don’t affect their claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance. The overall aim of the initiative is to help them find a career path and route into employment or education. To facilitate this, one-to-one support from a Princes Trust leader continues with each young person for several months after the training week.
The Get Started project in Gloucestershire is funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl, as part of his ‘Young People becoming Adults’ priority. He said,
“Life can be tough for young people who for one reason or another struggle to find work or have fallen through the cracks in society. They need support and guidance to help them find their way in life, and The Princes Trust aim to do exactly that.
“Get Started is a great way to motivate and inspire young adults who have a particular interest or ambition, but lack the confidence or opportunities to pursue it.
“That’s why I have funded the scheme as part of my commitment to providing a society that supports young people in becoming law-abiding, productive adults.”
For further information or to find a Get Started course in your area visit: https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/
