European Social Fund in England

‘I feel like I’m back on track…’

Sisters Sophie and Katie Kaute, aged 20 and 21 respectively, have been attending the ESF funded WILD project in Penzance for over a year after it was recommended to them. The support and guidance provided by project workers have changed their approach to life.

The project works in partnership with Cornwall College, Cornwall Learning Partnership, Cornwall Council and Cornwall Youth Work Partnership to provide young parents and their children with opportunities to develop their skills, improve their self-esteem and achieve their potential.

After leaving school Katie gained a BTEC National Diploma in music, but she felt that becoming a mum to her son, now one year old, made it impossible for her to pursue her dream of a musical career.

With encouragement and direction from the support workers Katie has already completed qualifications in literacy and numeracy and attended a number of taster days at Cornwall College, which have inspired a new ambition.

She explained: “With WILD’s help I feel like I’m back on track with my career. I can’t use my music but now I want to study pathology. I’ve been doing NHS qualifications with a view to taking a medical degree in the future.

“This project has been so good for my confidence. My project worker Cheryl Macfarlane has really helped me sort out some personal problems, but, more importantly, because of the childcare they offer, WILD has given me a chance to develop as a normal person not just as a mum.”

Sophie is still not sure what path she wants her future to take but WILD’s project workers are working with her to find the right route and the qualifications necessary to make a career a reality.

She said: “They are all really helpful and understanding. You can talk to the support workers and they have really helped improve my confidence and self-esteem.”

The WILD project which is co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the European Social Fund has recently been honoured with a prestigious Queen’s Award – the equivalent of an MBE for its outstanding contribution to the community and its benefit to others.

Project information (July 2009)

The WILD Young Parents Project will receive £77 thousand from ESF convergence funding for their work with adult learners (19+ years), and £16 thousand for their work with under-19s. The funding for these projects runs until December 2010.