Date: 8 April 2008

 

North Tyneside Mayor John Harrison helped to put the finishing touches to a special climate change project today, when he took part in a tree-planting event at Into Change in Backworth.

 

The event was organised by local unemployed people taking part in the Employability Skills programme run by Essential People – the skills and development arm of employment specialist Working Links – and involved children from Backworth and young people from the UK Youth Parliament.

 

The project came about when members of the UK Youth Parliament wanted to find a way to offset their carbon footprint. They came up with the idea of each of them planting a tree and, when learners on the Employability Skills programme heard about it, they were only too keen to put the practical skills they’ve gained to use and organised the event.

 

Fiona Adams, Employability tutor, explained: “Organising the event has been a great opportunity for the group to put their new skills to use. They’ve had to work together as a team, plan the project while working to a deadline, allocate tasks, and manage resources – key skills that employers look for.

 

“The project has really helped to increase their confidence and self-belief, and improve their interpersonal skills. Now, all of the members of the group have got the confidence to put forward their own views and offer solutions to problems.”

 

Doug Hallam, Regional Co-ordinator for the UK Youth Parliament in the North East, said:

“Today’s event was all about local people making a lasting improvement to their neighbourhood, and unlocking the talent that exists in our community. Climate change is a major concern of young people. The tree planting project has been a great way of bringing together different groups of people within the community and helping them see the value of the contribution they can make.”

 

North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, John Harrison said: “This is a great event which is not only helping improve our environment, but also enabling our young people to develop skills and talents that will help them in their working life.

 

"It is vital that all our youngsters are given every opportunity to achieve their aspirations and organisations such as Working Links are making a real difference to people's lives."

 

For more information about Working Links Essential People call 0800 917 9262.

 

Ends

 

For further information please contact:

Dawn Holroyd, Regional Business Partner

Tel: 07977 010 028 or email: dawn.holroyd@workinglinks.co.uk

Or Nicola Doughty, Press Officer

Tel: 07792 445512 or email: nicola.doughty@workinglinks.co.uk

 

Notes to editors

 

• Working Links was founded in 2000 and operates in almost 100 locations across England, Scotland and Wales, including 11 in the North East. It is a unique organisation that delivers services to tackle social exclusion and poverty by helping disadvantaged individuals and communities.
• The organisation’s belief that employment is the best route out of poverty has helped more than 85,000 people back into work nationally, and more than 11,000 in the North East.
• It is a public-private-voluntary partnership between the Government’s Shareholder Executive, Manpower, Capgemini and Mission Australia. It delivers effective solutions by working in partnership with organisations including the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Probation Service, One Parent Families and Daycare Trust.
• Profit is not Working Links’ driving force. Its shareholders endorse its social purpose and are interested in how Working Links can create long term value, investing in the quality of services and the communities where it operates. 
• Working Links helps and supports people who face significant challenges and barriers such as those who have been unemployed for a long time to former offenders, lone parents and older workers. It also works with employers and the prison and probation services to help prisoners in over 20 institutions.
• By helping the most vulnerable in society to improve their skills and help them move into jobs with a future, Working Links can create a greater sense of social inclusion. This leads to better health, education, reduced crime and brighter futures.