European Social Fund in England

‘I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t had the support.’

The ESF Brighter Futures Plus project is helping people like Sara Bennett progress into jobs. Sara, 17, lives with her mother and brother for whom she also has caring responsibilities as they both have mobility problems. Due to her own health problems she left school mid way through year nine and was home tutored by her mother but unfortunately did not gain any recognised qualifications.

Spending so much time at home and losing contact with many of her friends, Sara lost a lot of confidence and her self-esteem was at an all-time low. In a bid to change her life, she contacted Connexions who put her in touch with Youth Works Community Interest Company (CIC) who deliver the Brighter Futures Plus project on behalf of Northamptonshire Learning and Development Partnership (NTDP). This was a huge step for Sara who had barely left the house for nearly three years and had only a small network of family and friends.

Over 20 weeks, Sara attended the programme delivered at the Connaughty Youth Centre, Corby. Whilst on the programme Sara achieved Level 1 qualifications in applying for a job, deaf awareness, recruitment and selection, and her City and Guilds Literacy Level 1. She also completed a two day work placement in the Connaughty Centre café to learn new skills including cooking and dealing with customers.

From here she progressed onto a local Entry 2 Employment course and has secured a place at Tresham College to do a hairdressing course which she starts in September 2009.

Sara said: “Because I left school I lost contact with many of my friends which really began to get me down. I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t had the support of Brighter Futures Plus, in particular Carol who has helped me every step of the way.”

Carol Copeland, Director, Youth Works CIC said: “Through assessment, Individual Learning Plan and review I got to know Sara well. She was articulate and bright but low in self confidence and self esteem. Her interaction and communication with her peers was initially strained, appearing far more comfortable with adults.

“However throughout her time with us Sara became so much more confident and became an important and vocal part of the group. I am delighted she has done so well with her education and wish her well in her future career.”

Project information (August 2009)

The project ‘Brighter Futures Plus’, managed by the Northamptonshire Learning and Development Partnership (NTDP), has been awarded over £587,978 from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Learning and Skills Council in the East Midlands.

ESF is investing £376 million overall to boost skills and jobs in the East Midlands.

More information on Northamptonshire Learning and Development Partnership.