Movement to Work is delighted to announce that, with advisory support from The Prince’s Trust, it will establish a Youth Steering Group (YSG) to support West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in the delivery of the Stand Out programme. The Stand Out programme is a new initiative set up as part of the Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy, driving skills and employment opportunities for local people, through the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Movement to Work will Chair the YSG and bring young people and business together, with business sponsors from the Movement to Work employer network guiding and supporting the young people that will form the steering group.
The new Youth Steering Group (YSG) will oversee the Stand Out programme engagement and delivery, to ensure access to young people from the most disadvantaged communities. It will also safeguard decisions and agreements made by the WMCA, as Stand Out programme owner, to ensure it fully reflects the needs and views of young people – especially those furthest from the workplace.
Following a successful bid earlier this year, the WMCA received over £800,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players to good causes and is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The funding will support more than 800 young people aged 18-30 across the region. Hundreds of young people from the West Midlands will get bespoke support to access volunteering and employment opportunities as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. National Lottery funding will give young people dedicated, personalised support to enable them to become Games time volunteers, as well as helping them to access one of the many thousands of roles created by the event. Support will continue beyond the Games to ensure that the young people can successfully build on their experience and secure long-term employment opportunities. The Games as a whole are expected to create up to 35,000 jobs and over 13,000 volunteering opportunities for local people.
The delivery of the Stand Out programme will happen through 10 community-based organisations who will work directly with young people, including two existing Movement to Work partners; Street League a charity that uses the power of sport to tackle poverty and give young people the opportunities they need to succeed in life and the workplace; and Suited for Success a charity that collects and provides free interview clothing, provided interview coaching and employment preparation skills.
Further information about the Stand Out programme, jobs and volunteering for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is available here
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“It’s great to see young people leading the Stand Out programme, helping other young people to take advantage of the work and volunteering opportunities from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re working with our partners to provide targeted support for disadvantaged young people and communities who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
“Making sure that the jobs created by the Games go to local people is a key part of my jobs plan to help more than 100,000 residents into employment over the next two years, and is also critical to ensuring the Commonwealth Games is a Games for everyone.”
Sam Olsen, CEO Movement to Work said:
“In establishing a youth led steering group Movement to Work looks to bring young people and business together, driving skills and employment opportunities for local people, before, during and after the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. We want to help make the connection between volunteering and the world of work, enabling young people to develop the knowledge and attitudes they need to succeed, and to inspire business to create opportunities for disadvantaged young people who have engaged with volunteering during the Games. We are very excited to be involved and committed to driving a positive impact for young people in the West Midlands.”
Kathryn Fedun, HEAD OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT – Midlands, Movement to Work said:
“I couldn’t wish for a better project for Movement to Work to continue to make an impact in the region. Through working in partnership with WMCA, employers and youth outreach organisations we strive to maximise the opportunity the Games brings for young people to get into volunteering, work experience, vocational training and jobs. Now it’s time for us to make it an amazing opportunity for young people in the West Midlands.”
About The National Lottery Community Fund:
We are the largest funder of community activity in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. National Lottery players raise £36 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £43 billion has been raised for good causes which has supported over 635,000 projects, benefiting millions of people – that’s 255 projects per postcode area.
We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.
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About The Prince’s Trust:
The Prince’s Trust helps young people all over the UK to build their confidence and skills and supports them into jobs, education and training. Founded by The Prince of Wales in 1976, the charity supports 11 to 30-year-olds who are unemployed, struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.
Many of the young people helped by The Trust’s youth support workers and mentors are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law.
The courses offered by The Trust give young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Trust has helped more than a million young people in the UK since 1976.
Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.