- Provider CXK Ltd
- Name The Prince's Trust Team Programme
The Prince's Trust Team Programme is designed to help unemployed and vulnerable young people in Kent gain skills and find work, apprenticeships or return to education.
Since it began in 2011, the 12-week programme, delivered by Kent-based charity CXK, has seen 1,200 young people donate 30,000 hours to local charities and causes.
Participants spend a week at a residential activity centre undertaking team-building activities and learning problem-solving techniques. Then, over a six-week period the young people put the skills they have learned into practice by volunteering on a community project, before a two-week work placement.
Recently, young people from Thanet, a deprived coastal community, were the 100th group to undertake the Team Programme. The 12 young people aged 16 to 24 spent two weeks renovating community arts project Arts in Ramsgate.
The team were on site for two weeks and coached to take ownership of the project, allocating roles and responsibilities based on their own interests, strengths and weaknesses.
Young people looking to build confidence or leadership skills were required to take charge of the team for at least one morning or afternoon each week; while those focusing on team working had to participate in group tasks.
The bulk of the work was outdoors, clearing overgrown garden space, removing waste and creating flower beds. Inside the centre, the team painted walls and hung art displays.
For many of the young people involved, this was the first time they had successfully worked in a team and completed a project. They developed team-working skills, learned to manage their emotions when conflicts arose, and learned resilience when working through poor weather conditions.
In addition, the young people completed a two-week work placement in their field of interest. They were guided to create an up-to-date CV, and benefited from interview skills workshops and were provided with information and advice on completing job applications; all of which was designed to prepare them to find employment or return to education. Having successfully completed the programme, the participants also gained a nationally recognised qualification in employability, teamwork and community skills.
Many of the young people from the 100th programme have progressed into work or education: one reopened his landscape gardening business; four have progressed into full-time college or sixth form courses; and another four have found employment following the course. The remaining team members are completing further training courses.
My View
By Lily Musgrove, 17, Margate
"I'll be honest, I didn't want to join the team; it scared me. I hated the idea of so many new experiences that I couldn't control.
The first week was terrifying, there were lots of new people that I never saw myself talking to. We had to take part in team-building activities and after our residential trip we formed friendships and trust, which made the team a lot more comfortable and the rest of the experience continued to be amazing.
The Team Programme was something I never thought I could do, but I loved every second and made great friends. It isn't just about getting a qualification and work - it's about forming trust and getting the confidence to do things that may scare you.
After the programme I got a job, and I returned to sixth form. Anyone who knows me knows I'd never abseil, never do a leap of faith; never dance in the streets in a dragon onesie to raise money for charity. But I did and I'd do it all again. Team programme was amazing."
