Heathfield MP, Huw Merriman, met local young people involved in the Heathfield Works! employment project when he visited them at Heathfield Youth centre and at their work placement last Friday.
Huw was keen to visit Heathfield Works! to find out more about this successful rural employment project which was developed by two charities Tomorrows People and The Heathfield Partnership Programme in September 2011. Since then over 150 young people have had the opportunity to develop their sense of responsibility, self-discipline and deal with the barriers that have prevented them from moving forward into education, employment or training.
Tomorrow’s People is a national employment charity that works within local communities to help disadvantaged adults and young people to get and keep a job. The Heathfield Works! programme is a 10-week course that helps young people living in isolated rural areas and helps them to access the job market.
Huw was joined at the youth centre by Cllr Rupert Simmons who helped to set up the project along with other local employers who volunteer their time and experience to help young people gain valuable workplace experience.
Julie Kaye and Tora Bowdler, who work for the project, introduced Huw to past and present participants who chatted to Huw about how the project has helped them find work or training. Huw then visited a local employer, Newton and Frost Fencing, to meet two young people, Kelly and Callum who were busy on their work placement.
Speaking in Heathfield, Huw said “I was really pleased to visit Heathfield Works! as I had heard so much about this successful project during my election campaign. People often think that rural towns and villages don’t experience the problems of deprivation and unemployment that we are familiar with in urban areas. This simply isn’t the case as finding jobs and access to transport is often much more difficult in the countryside and this presents real barriers for some young people when they leave school.
The Heathfield Works! project has identified these barriers and has inspired over 150 local young people to raise their aspirations and give them the confidence, skills and resources they need to find work or further training. The voluntary support they receive from local businesses who provide real workplace experience is invaluable.
Heathfield Works! is a real local success story of community and business organisations working together to support our next generation supported by a small dedicated and experienced team. I will be giving it my full support and hope to visit again soon.”