Young People Thrive Through GROW Programme Success in Conwy

Young People Thrive Through GROW Programme Success in Conwy

Some of the participants on the GROW Programme, along with their tutors and staff from Conwy Employment Hub.

A transformative new initiative has helped young people across Conwy County build confidence, gain valuable skills and take exciting steps into the world of work.

Conwy Employment Hub’s GROW (Get Ready for Opportunities at Work) programme, delivered over six weeks at Abergele Youth Den, offered short, sharp, and bespoke training sessions twice a week – and for the 12 participants it’s already making a real difference.

With funding secured from the UKSPF Conwy People and Skills Fund, Conwy Employment Hub was able to work in partnership with Abergele Community Action and The Little Learning Company, to give young people the chance to complete accredited awards to work in the Retail, Hospitality and Childcare sectors, including Customer Service, Paediatric First Aid, Mental Health Awareness, Food Hygiene and Allergen Awareness.

The results speak for themselves with more than 70 accreditations achieved across the group, and all participants rating the course 10/10 on their feedback forms. The programme has already had an impact on their future prospects with 4 going straight into employment, 7 participants being referred to the Hub’s mentors for continued job support and work placements lined up for some to help them build experience and boost their CVs.

Blue Douglas, Senior Youth Worker at Abergele Community Action’s Youth Den said; “The GROW programme has given young people meaningful, earned and crucial certification to assist them in their first steps towards finding employment. Our young people joined us a little downhearted and without a clear direction for their work lives and their transformation has been marked.  We are so pleased to have contributed towards the futures they so deserve.”

Participants praised the programme for its supportive staff, engaging content, and the confidence it gave them to move forward in life.  One young person (Cam, 17) said, “It got me out of the house to meet new people and socialise, as well as gave me new qualifications to move into work”, and Beth aged 19 said, “I got more skills. I feel like I have grown as a person and am out of my comfort zone, ten out of ten and high fives!”

Some of the participants are living alone in homeless accommodation and in recognition of their achievements, Dave Nice, Youth Homelessness Project Worker for the Oak Tree Project was invited to the Certificate Presentation and praised all the participants, “Sometimes in life it’s easy to look at people and assume that everyone finds the same things easy and the same things hard, but that’s not how the world is. For some getting up in the morning, leaving the house or even basic socialising can be unbearably difficult.  This cohort had their own difficulties to overcome and it took courage and will for them to turn up week after week, so I am particularly proud of their achievements, and hopefully this has made them realise that if they do can this, then they can do anything.”

Commenting on the programme’s success Libby Duo, Strategic Manager for Conwy Employment Hub said, “The GROW programme has been a game-changer for these young people and the impact has been incredible.  It’s opened doors for those ready to take the next step in their journey - whether that’s into training or employment and with them all gaining confidence, skills, and real opportunities it has also delivered a sense of achievement and optimism that is helping them build brighter futures.”

For further information contact Pip Cockeram, Conwy Employment Hub on 01492 576280 or at pip.cockeram@conwy.gov.uk.

Conwy Employment Hub is a community-driven “one stop shop” for employability dedicated to helping Conwy residents upskill, find employment, work experience and volunteer roles.  It runs the Welsh Government’s Communities for Work Plus (CfW+) employability programme and has secured additional funding from other streams to be able to support all Conwy residents aged 16+ find meaningful employment.  Visit https://www.conwy.gov.uk/conwyemploymenthub for more on Conwy Employment Hub

Abergele Community Action is a voluntary organisation and registered Charity which delivers vital services to local people in Abergele and beyond including Abergele Youth Den which is a community based intervention aimed at those young people aged between 10 and 25 that are, or at risk of becoming, excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational and digital opportunities. 

The Oak Tree Project is part of Conwy County Borough Council’s Youth Engagement and Belonging Service which offers advice, information and support for young people regarding housing options.