Young people in Keighley will be able to benefit from a new initiative aimed at helping them to improve their skills and qualifications, find work or set up their own businesses.
A six-month series of outreach sessions, Saturday morning breakfast drop-ins and other activities aimed at promoting employment and training opportunities for young people will be held as part of the ‘Our Town, Our Future, Our Voice – positive futures for Keighley’s Young People’ initiative.
The ambitious new scheme will kick off with the creation of a new venue at Keighley Cougars’ ground that is being part funded by Keighley Area Committee where young people excluded from formal mainstream education and training can meet informally to receive peer mentoring and get the support they need to enter full time employment. It will also host basic numeracy and literacy skills development sessions.
Breakfast drop-in advice sessions, aimed at young people aged up to 24 years, will run from Saturday, 11 February until Saturday, 17 March between 10am-1pm at Keighley Cougars’ ground. For further information please contact Mary Calvert or Ash Chowdry at Your Sporting Chance on 01535 606044.
A series of open workshops that will directly involve local young people in the ongoing development of the project will also be held in a range of community settings within the Keighley district. These will include the chance to make a short film to highlight the struggles they face and what ideas they have to ensure there is a positive future for them in Keighley.
Young people are also invited to enter a competition to design the initiative’s official logo. All submissions should be sent Mary Calvert at Your Sporting Chance, Cougar Park, Royd Ings Avenue, Keighley, BD21 3RF. The logo must incorporate the words ‘Our Town, Our Future, Our Voice’ and be received no later than Tuesday, 7 February. There will be a prize of £75.
Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, said, "This ambitious initiative will help to make young people more employable by offering them training, advice, and mentoring services. It grew out of concern for the increasing number of young people in Keighley who are struggling to find employment or access financial support to continue further or higher education.
"It is critical for the future of the Bradford district that we promote lifelong learning and develop a skilled workforce.”
Coun Jan Smithies, District Councillor for Keighley West, said: "’Our Town, Our Future, Our Voice’ builds on Keighley Area Committee’s commitment to Active Citizenship and will directly involve young people in taking control of their future.”
The ‘Our Town, Our Future, Our Voice’ initiative will culminate with a large event in the centre of Keighley on Sunday, 24 June. Keighley Cougars have a match that day and are offering free tickets and other activities at their ground to celebrate the achievements of young people who will have benefited from the scheme. For further information please contact Mary Calvert on 01535 606044 or visit www.yoursportingchance.org.
The initiative was officially launched on Wednesday, 11 January by Coun Jan Smithies, Bradford Council’s Keighley Area Coordinator’s Office and Keighley Cougars’ ‘Your Sporting Chance’ project. It is being supported by a wide range of partner organisations including Leeds City College (Keighley Campus), The Prince’s Trust, BKYP – Keighley Youth Parliament, Airedale Shopping Centre, and Connexions Keighley.
