Prince’s Trust – showing the way in region

The Northampton Prince’s Trust “Teams” run by Tresham College are creating winning opportunities for young people.

Northampton South Team 45, which means the 45th squad to take part in a 12-week course, won at the East of England and East Midlands Celebrate Success Awards and were presented with the Community Impact Award sponsored by Dell Technologies. The ceremony was held at the Metrodome in Nottingham.

“Companies like Ricoh and Reed Employment effectively ask us for a reference about time-keeping and commitment regarding our young people and they trust us because we have a proven record of maintaining great relationships with employers,” said Paul, as ex-paratrooper turned adult trainer who leads from the front – particularly with abseiling which is one of the challenges the young people have to undertake as part of a residential week of the course.

“I don’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do myself – but as the weeks go by and when it comes to the final presentation I step back and let them speak for themselves.”

The December presentation by the Northampton North Team included a “news style” presentation whereby the young people, who before the start of the 12 week course could barely speak to each other, speak in front a room full of employers.

Paul who has been running Prince’s Trust Teams for 20 years at Tresham College, added:

It shows how far they come in 12 weeks. At the start one young person sat on the steps at the front door refusing to come in and join us. I said ‘You have a choice here today come inside and start a new pathway in your life’. She did and what a difference it has made to her.

One unique part of the Northampton North course is the fact the students volunteer at “Revitalise” holiday for disabled people in Essex, in addition to their residential course in the countryside.

“This is where they meet up with people who are cheerful in the face of tremendous difficulties and realise how lucky they are to be in a position to help others. Everyone has a role to play there and they all come away expressing how privileged they feel to have been part of this,” added Paul.

One of the tasks the Team took was redecorating the interior of the Vernon Terrace Community Centre off Stockley Street, Northampton (Photo of painting in action) which they use as a base for the team.

“Again we have charities and organisations approaching us to help them via the Community Project part of the Team course – the Prince’s Trust Northampton North is a force for good,” added Paul.

The success of Tresham College in running Prince’s Trust courses has been taken up by Bedford College since the two merged in 2017.