BETH Love is 23, in fulltime work, and in the last six years has sailed off the UK’s coast twice and travelled to Nepal as part of Raleigh expedition.
During Hull’s City of Culture year in 2017 she also stepped into the spotlight when crowds applauded as she pushed the first piece in a huge domino chain event. None of this would have been possible if it were not for leading Humber charity CatZero and Beth urges young people in her position to join its new programme.
“CatZero has helped me in so many ways, giving me confidence, I didn’t even know I had. Please, if you’re a young person and get the chance, then join them. I have not looked back and six years on, they are still there for me,” said Beth.
The charity, with headquarters in Hull and Grimsby, has today announced it has been awarded a £169,000 grant from the Youth Futures Foundation. This will expand its work with 14 to- 24-year-olds with a focus on getting them into jobs.
“The one-to-one support you get really helps, and you do a lot of interview practice, learning skills and techniques. You also take practical qualifications that help you get into work,” said Beth, who was furloughed from her croupier job this year and determined to work, is now being trained to manage commercial greenhouses.
With an enviable record of supporting people of all ages and families to achieve lasting personal change, CatZero has grown across the Humber since its launch 12 years ago. Its bespoke programmes combine vocational and team-building skills with mentoring and qualifications valuable in the workplace. People can also sail on its 72ft around-the-world challenge yacht.
Thanking Youth Futures for its 2021 grant award, CatZero Director of Operations Dave Bertholini said: “Over our 12 years, we have evolved our programmes to fit the people we support, with crucial long-term support for those who need it.
“When individuals are with us, they engage to a high level. In fact, we have an average 95 per cent attendance and completion. But we recognise that it is the weeks, months and even years after that, when circumstances may change, that our support can still be needed. It will be the same for those we place into a workplace, our pledge is to work with the young people and the employers at whatever level is required and for as long as necessary,” said Dave.
“With the correct support at the right time, change is highly achievable for our young people. Approximately 65 per cent of our participants successfully go into jobs, training or further education and many do stay in touch,” he added.
Youth Futures was established to find, fund, support and evaluate programmes which help young people to move into meaningful work
Chief Executive, Anna Smee, said: “We are delighted to support CatZero in its work. Youth Futures Foundation is committed to a society where all young people have equitable access to good quality jobs, by identifying ‘what works’, investing in good practice and initiating new ways of working – to ignite systems change. This partnership will support our ambitions and help to deliver our vision.”
If you are a young person, aged 16 to 24, unemployed and interested in our work, please contact Pete Tighe by email: [email protected]
If you are a business owner or manager and wish to join us in trying to improve employment for young people across the Humber please contact Gail Howson: [email protected]