European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
‘Instead of waiting for things to come to me, I get out there and get it myself’
Marvin Mutanga was 19 when he joined the European Social Fund (ESF) LEAP project, he had been unemployed for some time and lacked self-confidence and direction.
The LEAP Project – Leading, Empowering and Achieving with Purpose - is a two-week intensive programme for 16 to 19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training. The Dorset based project is co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and incorporates activities focused on the individual and wider group.
Marvin said, "LEAP has changed everything for me. Instead of waiting for things to come to me, I get out there and get it myself. I'm now working full time in a restaurant and I'm waiting to hear back from my Business Administration Apprenticeship, which should begin soon."
He attributes his new, positive outlook to the encouragement, support and techniques for personal and social development that he experienced on the project.
Marvin said, "It's little things like making real telephone calls to people, going on the college visits to find out more information, starting off the programme by choosing what you always wanted to do and investigating if you'd really enjoy it before jumping onto a course and not liking it.
"The personal development activities helped to ensure you get things right, like 'begin with the end in mind' and using positive language like 'I will try', 'I will do it' not 'I may do it' and 'I may not'!
"Now I'm doing my best and I want an education so I can provide for my daughter. This project has changed my attitude."
Project information (October 2009)
The LEAP project is delivered by Ansbury for Connexions and runs until December 2010. It will receive around £200,000 in ESF funding.