AGE is just a number and there are no barriers to what you can achieve – especially if your friends are behind you.
That was the overwhelming lesson learnt by the latest group of participants on our Hull CLLD (Community Led Local Development) programme, which ended with a celebration event in the city.
This event was one of two CLLD programme celebrations to be organised pre-Christmas, with participants in Scunthorpe successfully completing theirs too. The CLLD programmes are supported across both side of the estuary by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).
In Hull the programme delivery officer over the three-month programme was Maria Brennan, who reflected on a wonderful course: “It was wonderful to see how the group developed with really strong friendships made.
“They were all very motivated to gain new qualifications with two members of the group already moving into work.
“Many of the younger members of the group were inspired by one of their more mature colleagues, Gill. They realised that age is just a number and no matter what age you are, a positive and determined outlook on life, along with hard work, can lead to amazing new experiences, friends and overcoming challenges that would have once seemed impossible,” added Maria.
Meanwhile over in Scunthorpe, the second of six new CLLD programmes to run in the town also ended with a wonderful celebration event. Here delivery officers Sean ‘Bob’ Bobczuk and Steve Quinn were equally as complimentary as Maria.
“The group was a pleasure to work with, with attendance, timekeeping and the overall feeling of unity within the group, amazing.
“It’s so much easier to work with a group that turns up, on time and wants to get on. People have made some really great friends, are getting out more and engaging back into society, which gives them self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of worth.
“The group encouraged each other no end and people really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. If it doesn’t challenge you then it doesn’t change you. These guys challenged themselves every day and the change at the end of it all was obvious,” said Bob.
Steve added: “I can only agree with what Bob has already said. The group was a pleasure and inspiration to work with. The participants were varied in age, background and life experiences, but were united in the desire to not only improve their own situations but to help and support those around them at every opportunity.
“Hopefully, they all now get their desired outcomes going forward because they all put a lot in and really deserve to benefit from their endeavours.”
Here are the views of some of our successful Scunthorpe participants:
Sabrina Milne: “I came out of this with new friends and that’s a huge thing for me. I really liked the way the course was designed, where we have help and support from each other and can be open and honest without judgment.”
Matthew Barnes: “When I started CatZero I had nothing and no one, but over 12 weeks I’ve gained so many new experiences, things to be proud of, memories to last a lifetime and most importantly, I gained my own little family.”
Andrea Morton: “Before I was given this amazing opportunity I was in a dark place and struggled to believe I would be able to withstand such a challenge. To be given the trust to steer and sail a 72ft yacht, wow. This made me realise the sky is the limit!! I am strong, I am capable, and I am worth it!!!!”
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