Programme Structure

Presentation and Introductory event – Team building activities where the young people are supposed to challenge themselves and meet other members of their team.

Delivery Programme – Delivered by CatZero staff along with partner organisations – fostering independence, trust, confidence and sustainability in an alternative learning environment conductive to young people’s needs. As an integral part of the programme the young people can gain up to seven qualifications.

Residential Experience – Water based sailing challenge aboard a 72ft Challenge yacht. While on board, the Young People crew the boat with the assistance of a qualified crew on a four hour on, four hour off watch system for the full duration of the trip. Elements involved include preparation and cooking of meals, cleaning, helming the vessel, navigation, engineering, all alongside local business volunteers and mentors. Carrying out such a watch system becomes very disorientating, particularly through the night which pushes all crew members beyond their comfort zone enabling them to feel a sense of achievement and self-belief.

Move On – Professional support and guidance, allowing young people to take the lead when making decisions about their future path. The challenges facing young people include finding work, moving away, accessing services, finding new friends etc. Making plans, solving problems, organising life and feeling competent and in control are vital ingredients to a successful adult life. These skills are generally developed by young people over an extended period, one challenge at a time with the support of our staff.

All new projects build on the outstanding success achieved through the nationally recognised award winning Wilberforce Youth Development Programme. “I just wanted to say how great the group was today. All were really engaged, focused and open to help and advice. They are a credit to CatZero and each should be really proud of themselves as they have now topped my favourite group list!” (Laura Fermandell, Sewell Group, After a visit by young people to the Sewells Skills Centre).

Our Impact

Impact/outcomes: a snapshot of our success:

CatZero began its work in December 2008 and in the last nine years has provided intensive support to almost 1,400 individuals as part of our many core programmes, with 59 per cent moving into sustainable education, employment or training.

Many others have completed short term qualifications or short training courses and/or carried out work experience and volunteering.

CatZero has also worked with 400 individuals to help with issues such as transition from primary to secondary education, school attendance and GCSE exam preparation and attendance.

Every year, we produce an annual performance report that sets out the 12-months in detail. The 2017 report is attached here as a PDF for you to read in detail. The top line statistics are here:

• Ten programmes were run or started during the year.
• They were delivered to 144 people of all ages across the north and south banks of the Humber.
• Of those 144 starters, a total of 95 per cent completed the programmes.

One of our most successful programmes, which ran between 2017 and 2018 was Green Port Hull – ‘Green Shoots’. Below, again is a snapshot of its success. To judge our performance, we use measures as set by the Education and Skills Funding Agency:

• Eight, 12-week programmes were run in Hull, Beverley, Grimsby and Goole from June 2017 to May 2018, to support the long-term unemployed.
• Our target number of starters: 112, (actual 117).
• Retention rate: 99%.
• National recognised qualifications achieved: 505.
• Confirmed outcomes into education, training, employment: 38.
• Confirmed outcomes into education, training, employment: 38.
• Additional outcomes still to be achieved to reach our target: 10.