Young people in Norfolk thrive on Project Team

The most recent cohort of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's (NFRS) Team Project learners have passed their course and gained valuable workplace skills and a qualification.

The Prince's Trust Team Project is a 12-week programme that helps to build confidence and skills in young people to help them get into employment, education, or training. The latest teams from Dereham, Norwich and King's Lynn have all completed their courses this week, earning a qualification in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skills.

As part of Team, all cohorts must undertake a project that benefits the Norfolk community. The Dereham group renovated the garden at Woodstock Care Home with great success by removing gravel, laying topsoil, laying turf, planting flowers, giving the residents an improved outdoor space for socialising and relaxation.

An end of course presentation was held for all the groups at the fire stations in their respective towns. Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Margaret Dewsbury was one of the local dignitaries to attend the presentations.

Councillor Dewsbury said:

"Team is a programme I am proud to support because it never fails to improve the lives and prospects of Norfolk's young people and this cohort were no exception. All learners on the programme spoke wonderfully about their personal growth over the 12 weeks and how Team has taught them invaluable skills. I would like to congratulate all the learners for completing their course and helping residents along the way, through such community projects as when the Norwich group repaired a mother and toddler group space at St Helen's Church."

All learners get to undertake classroom learning, residential week, and work experience placements.

Our most recent learners spent time on work experience with such local businesses as:

• the Royal Mail sorting office in Norwich
• the Norfolk Suffolk Foundation Trust as Research Assistants
• Shop Assistants at Tinklers motorcycles in Norwich
• West Runton village shop

All the learners gain valuable workplace skills from these placements.

Team Learner, Sam Rivett said:

"I would definitely recommend Team to anyone as I have personally gained so much from this course, including a wide variety of skills, interests and personal development which you just can't get anywhere else. This course is truly unique in that."

"My teammates and team leaders helped to improve my self-esteem, and the activities helped to improve my confidence. Yet these combined have really helped me develop my sense of identity and offered me a safe space to explore who I am and what I want to become."

The aim of Team is to help Norfolk's young people build confidence and learn the practical skills such as good job interview technique, that can them get into employment, education, or training.

Team is starting again soon and young people in Dereham and Norwich can join their local Team by contacting Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's Youth Development team. The start date for both locations is Monday, 26 September.

To enrol into or learn more about Team email fireyouthdev@norfolk.gov.uk or call your local centre:

• Dereham: 07795 067383
• Norwich: 07920 792232

NFRS runs Team on behalf of the Prince's Trust and in partnership with the College of West Anglia. Learn more at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/nfrsyouth.