Catch22 Say Yes Phase 2 Nottingham
The original “SayYes” Challenge in 2007, where Victoria Centre, Nottingham was working with a selected group of young people from Bulwell Youth Inclusion Project, a specialist agency supporting children deemed at risk from truancy, offending etc., was been deemed a great success, sufficient to encourage a second phase.
The intention was to involve young people from further afield within the City of Nottingham, with a broader range of support from social services and local government departments. In a repeat of the original programme, the most promising young people participating are offered short term “breakthrough apprenticeships” with local businesses enabling them to gain first hand experience of business life, which should serve as a motivational factor in them gaining full time employment in their chosen field.
Victoria Centre, Nottingham acted again with Nottingham Crime & Drugs Partnership to sponsor Phase 2 of the programme. The scheme was launched at an event kindly hosted again by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at Trent Bridge on 15 September 2008. Young people from various locations in Nottingham attended the event, benefiting from more extensive involvement from welfare agencies and the City Council.
The format followed the successful formula of Phase 1 with groups of 5/6 young people working together to produce ideas with a business foundation that promotes a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour. They are supported by volunteer mentors from local businesses, there to offer guidance and assistance in creating and developing the young people’s ideas.
Following the launch, the teams undertook the research and development necessary to for a business start-up in preparation for a celebration evening on 15 January 2009 at they have to make presentations of their proposals in front of the judges, families and professionals from various private and public organisations.
