Six young people have successfully graduated from a fire and police development program after youth engagement work got back underway with a bang after long months of lockdown.
The group-all aged 16 to 25 years old–took part in a life-enhancing 12-week personal development course known as Prince’s Trust Team Program.
Community initiative
The South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police-led initiative offers work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community work, and a residential week to young people not in employment, education, or training.
The young people were all thrown out of their comfort zone, with highlights including a mammoth trek to a World War Two aircraft wreck in the Peak District and a community initiative that saw them transform a children’s playground.
Author's quote
Young people have had it tough over the last year-their education has been disrupted"
SYFR Team Program Pioneer John Daley said; “Young people have had it tough over the last year-their education has been disrupted, employment opportunities have been put on hold and socializing has been made difficult by the restrictions we’ve all been living under. But this group has come together brilliantly and should feel extremely proud of everything they have achieved."
“Although we’ve done our best to keep our youth engagement work going during the pandemic, this has obviously been limited, so it feels fantastic to be able to come together with the young people and their families to celebrate their achievements at an event such as this.”
Hard work and efforts
The graduation was held at the Niagara Center in Sheffield and was a great celebration of all their hard work and efforts. It was attended by their friends and family as well as local dignitaries, including Vice Lord Lieutenant John Holt and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Gail Smith.
More than 250 young people have been through the South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Prince’s Trust Team Program in four years. Four out of every five go on to achieve a successful outcome, be it entering employment, education, or training.
