Creating Pathways from Potential to Opportunity
Youth Start is a comprehensive initiative designed to engage and support young people who are farthest from opportunity. The program employs a blend of direct community engagement and partnerships with regional networks, job centers, and schools to identify and connect with potential participants.
Youth workers focus on building trust within these communities, often meeting young people in their own environments to foster a more inclusive and accessible atmosphere. The program successfully recruited 82 young people across various hubs in Northern Ireland.
Youth Start uses LIFEMAPS as a foundational tool for personalised goal setting and personal development. This approach emphasizes experiential learning and mindfulness to build confidence and emotional balance.
Participants have achieved various qualifications through a hybrid learning model, which combines one-to-one sessions, group work, and online learning. These qualifications have significantly boosted their self-esteem and empowered them to pursue further education or employment. The program also provides ongoing employment support, helping participants maintain their jobs and grow in their roles.