Young people have been congratulated on their hard work, dedication and achievements at two virtual presentation ceremonies.
Basingstoke 32 and Southampton 56 became the latest teams to successfully complete Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s (HIWFRS) 12-week Prince’s Trust team programme, marking the occasion with online events.
Each virtual ceremony began with a warm welcome from HIWFRS Group Manager for Community Safety, John Amos, who congratulated the young people on all the achievements they have made since joining the programme.
During each presentation, team members delivered individual speeches to explain how the programme has helped them to become more confident and motivated for the future, as well as helping them to make friends.
Family, friends and supporters listened intently as the young people opened up about their individual struggles and the personal challenges they’ve worked hard to overcome.
All were then invited to watch fun video highlights from each team which included adventure team-building days in the New Forest (pictured), CV writing, mock interviews, and work placements.
The highlight for many team members were the community projects they supported. These included refurbishing a school garden, a church garden renovation project, delivering Christmas cards to care homes and collecting canned goods for a local food bank.
Prince’s Trust team and assistant team leaders also gave individual messages of congratulations to every young person, as well as giving special thanks to all the friends, family, volunteers and HIWFRS team members who support the programme delivery.
The course has now been completed by more than 1,500 young people – many of whom have gone on to training and employment.
As testimony to this, some members of Southampton team 56 and Basingstoke team 32 have already found jobs or applied for further education courses or voluntary work.
Prince’s Trust manager, Joanna Gregory, said:
“The young people have shown resilience and determination to push themselves further, all growing in confidence. They did a brilliant job delivering their final presentations and they should all be very proud of what they have achieved over the past 12 weeks.
“I would also like to thank our dedicated Team Leaders for delivering two fantastic programmes, as their passion and positivity make running the programme possible. A huge thank you to all who support the programme and help change the lives of the young people we work with!”
The Prince’s Trust team are seeking new recruits for their next team programmes, due to start on January 24, in Basingstoke and Southampton (Redbridge).
The first-ever HIWFRS Prince’s Trust team will also be launched on the Isle of Wight in January.
If you know any young people aged between 16-25, who are looking for a new challenge they can find out more here hantsfire.gov.uk/community/young-people/princes-trust/.
Alternatively, you can contact the Prince’s Trust team on 07918 887897 or email princes-trust@hantsfire.gov.uk