A grad day for Prince’s Trust team members

The Enkalon Foundation joined with 18 young people from the Antrim area to celebrate their graduation from the new Prince’s Trust Team Programme launched locally in February of this year.
Members of the Princes Trust Antrim team who received certificates at their graduation last week. Included are Martina Smith and Gary Stitt, team leaders. INAT23-451ACMembers of the Princes Trust Antrim team who received certificates at their graduation last week. Included are Martina Smith and Gary Stitt, team leaders. INAT23-451AC
Members of the Princes Trust Antrim team who received certificates at their graduation last week. Included are Martina Smith and Gary Stitt, team leaders. INAT23-451AC

A structured 12-week personal development programme helps 16-25 year olds to develop confidence, motivation and skills through teamwork in the community, including a week long residential funded by The Enkalon Foundation.

Delivered in partnership with NRC, the programme took place in the new Women’s Aid Cornerstone premises for young people, which the Enkalon Foundation also played an import role in funding.

Ian Jeffers, Director with The Prince’s Trust in Northern Ireland, said: “Youth unemployment in Northern Ireland costs in excess of £51m per annum in benefit and figures show that up to 400 young people in the Antrim area are currently claiming Job Seeker Allowance.”

Ian added that there has never been a more “critical moment “to support our young people.

“Without opportunity, resources and support, many young people in Antrim and the surrounding areas find themselves in a downward spiral with no prospects or ambition,” Ian said.

He added: “We are delighted with the support from The Enkalon Foundation which will help us in our commitment to extending our programmes to the Antrim area, giving young people the skills and experience they need to get their lives working.”

The Team Programme gives young people the confidence, self belief and motivation to uncover their hidden talents and develop skills, in order to increase their employability.

Stephen Montgomery, trustee in The Enkalon Foundation, added: “Our funding is supporting the residential element of the programme where young people undertake activities that test team skills, responsibility and build their confidence to explore how skills learned can then be transferred into the workplace environment.

“It is testament to the quality and delivery of the Team programme that more than 70% participants go on to further education, training or employment within three months of completing the programme with 90% achieving a formal qualification.

“Seeing the young people here today who have successfully completed the programme is hugely inspirational and we are looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes from our on-going support of The Prince’s Trust Team programme over the coming months.”