A Northumberland young man, who has blossomed on a Tynedale Council work placement, is leading the celebrations of a Shaw Trust young people's project success.
Slaggyford success story Adam Rowley, 21, has taken a leap towards finding full time employment thanks to the partnership, which sprang from the Middlesbrough-based Care 2 Work project, based in
Fifty seven young people have flourished on the year-long project, aimed at helping young people with learning difficulties to achieve formally recognised qualifications.
Business and organisations like Tynedale Council have queued up to offer their support, including major supermarket chains such as Asda and Morrison's, charity shops, department stores and the Percy Hedley Foundation, a north east charity that supports disabled people.
"Twenty clients have moved into work experience placements and from that we hope to get about 18 NVQ Level 1 qualifications, which is absolutely brilliant," said Trevor Roxby, Young People's Services team leader for national charity Shaw Trust, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people achieve work and independence.
"Some of those clients have already moved on to NVQ level 2, which is a triumph for the project and for our young clients. It's their hard work that's getting results. We've just been the stepping stone to help them get on."
Adam Rowley was struggling to gain qualifications which would help him find work, until he joined the Care 2 Work project last May.
Now, not only does he have his NVQ Level 1 in Customer Care following a successful work placement with Tynedale Council, he is continuing to make the one hour 40 minute journey to Hexham to continue his two days with the Environmental Services on a voluntary basis and is a popular member of the team.
Adam explained: "I really enjoy working there, especially when the weather is nice! For my NVQ I had to identify and talk about some plants and provide a folder of evidence about the work I do."
His Placement Officer Carol Wilson says Adam's story demonstrates what Shaw Trust, is all about - getting people to reach their potential.
Both she and Trevor are also delighted that the first-time partnership with Tynedale Council has proved to be such a huge success. "Adam has all the support he needs and whatever he does need, he just has to ask," she said. "We are very grateful to the council for its help and support.
"Care 2 Work has worked brilliantly for Adam and the council's very pleased with his attitude."
Adam's Tydnedale Council Service Manager Lawrence Thompson said it had been a pleasure to work with Adam and Shaw Trust and his department would be happy to do something similar again.
"In the time that I've known Adam, he's really come out of himself and he now holds his head high," he said.
"He's a very well-liked young man and he's positive. Nothing is ever a bother to him."
Adam's work placement was set up after he expressed an interest in gardening. He spent two days a week carrying out general maintenance with council staff, initially in a park before moving onto golf courses and other sites. Along the way he built up his portfolio towards his NVQ, training for which was delivered by Van Hee Transport Ltd, of Felling,
"Adam originally didn't have any confidence and he was very shy," remembered Carol.
"Now his confidence has improved, he gets on with all the people he works with, and everybody loves him.
"He has to get a bus and a train to get to work, which takes about an hour and 40 minutes and shows real commitment.
"He is an absolute star."
* OUR picture shows Adam on Tyne Green Golf Course with Paul Turnbull, his team leader in Tynedale Council's environmental services. Photography kindly supplied by Tynedale Council.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. For further details, please contact Shaw Trust Marketing Manager Sara Lyddy on 07980 733468 or you can email: crucialpr@shaw-trust.org.uk
2. Shaw Trust is a national charity, formed in 1982, which helps people with disability or disadvantage to find work and achieve independence. We do this not only by delivering government programmes, but also through our own self-funded initiatives, and by campaigning to change attitudes at all levels.
3. Across the
