Since January 2023, AFC Fylde Community Foundation have been working with Fylde Council to support young residents who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), through funding provided by Fylde’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation.
Since the start of the ‘Fylde Focus’ project the Community Foundation have hit the ground running. With a target of 90 people by March 24, they have already engaged with over 50 people between the ages of 16-18, helping them to achieve employment, education, or training goals. Between April and June this year, there was a target to support 8 young people to engage in job searching. Expectations were well and truly exceeded with 23 young people being supported during this time. Young residents involved in the project have been empowered in a broad range of ways, from increased confidence, improved mental health and wellbeing, and improved abilities and skills to boost employability.
As a result of the dedication shown by the Community Foundation, they are now commencing two more UKSPF funded employability projects in partnership with Fylde Council.
The Fylde Apprenticeship Project and the Supporting Economically Inactive 19+ project began in August 2023 and are part of a programme of employment and skills support for all age groups across Fylde. These exciting new programmes will enable the Community Foundation to build on their existing relationships with residents and businesses alike and help to support people into work in a variety of ways.
With these UKSPF funded projects, AFC Fylde Community Foundation are already positively impacting the lives of so many Fylde residents and will continue to do so as the projects progress.
Wesley Partington, Director of AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: ‘As an organisation, one of our key aims is to increase the employability and skills of local people and we are therefore delighted to be working alongside Fylde Council on these three projects. I urge anyone living in the borough who is 16+ and unemployed to get in touch as we have a team of experienced and knowledgeable staff ready to support you on your journey back into employment’.
Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “We are very proud to see yet another tremendously successful project deliver real benefits for Fylde residents, enabled by the borough’s UKSPF allocation and our close working relationship with local partners and community groups. Supporting disengaged young people or those who are at risk is a core objective of our funding programme, and it is wonderful to know that this good work will continue with the two additional projects.”
For more information on any of the projects, please contact Stan Wharton at AFC Fylde Community Foundation on 01772 598856 or email stanley.wharton@ afcfylde.co.uk .
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