Young people who have given up on school are being given a fresh chance to succeed in education and work thanks to a successful partnership between national Charity Shaw Trust and Barclays PLC.
A £38,000 cash injection from Barclays has given a major boost to the support available for Birmingham youngsters who are disaffected or excluded from education.
"It's all about turning negatives into positives. We can make education more relevant to these young people," said Sharon Welch, Shaw Trust's Business Development Manager for Young People's Services.
"The money has meant we could help 80 young people from three Birmingham schools but there are still thousands more we would like to reach. Many are disengaged from the education system, face barriers such as language, literacy and numeracy or lack of confidence. Our job is about removing those barriers and supporting them and their families," she added.
Birmingham teenager Liam Owen was one unhappy 14 year old who was heading for trouble until Shaw Trust stepped in with a solution. Liam went to school 4 days a week and spent one day on a placement as an electrician. At the end of a successful year he was helped to find an apprenticeship and now aged 18 is well on the way to being qualified.
"It really helped him being able to see what the outside world was like going out one day a week and he found something he wanted to do and stuck with it," said his delighted mum Sue.
"He never really enjoyed school very much so this proved a really good alternative and now he's settled and really happy," she added.
Kate Kingshott, Barclays West Midlands Regional Community Manager said: "Barclays is committed to playing an active role in the communities where we work and live. The work of Shaw Trust is paramount in helping to provide opportunities for young people within the city and I am delighted we have been able to support them," she added.
Sharon Welch welcomed the new 14 to 16 year old apprenticeship schemes which have recently been introduced but warned: "We believe that without the high levels of support which Shaw Trust gives these young people, many will drop out and become disillusioned with the whole system. That is why the financial support of a company like Barclays is so important."
For further information on Shaw Trust's Young Peoples Services call Sharon Welch on 07970 560446.
