Member Article

Hammerson’s Victoria Gate fund to boost youth employment

£8,000 granted to local organisations to help young people find work

Five organisations in Leeds have received more than £8,000 from Hammerson’s Victoria Gate Fund, which supports local projects in Leeds that develop the employment skills and experience of young people.

In partnership with Leeds Community Foundation, the Fund has supported G-Tech Youth Code, Involve, St Luke’s Care, The Hunslet Club and Solutions for the Planet.

G-Tech Youth Code will provide a programme focussed on computer science and digital technology for young people with active, hands-on learning and Involve will support the iVenture Programme aimed at vulnerable young people giving them the opportunity to learn new skills and secure a level one Open College Network award in enterprise.

St Luke’s Care will offer employment opportunities for its latest project, The Shine Nail Bar, and The Hunslet Club will be running an employment skills course for 14 to 16 year olds to provide support with CV writing, confidence building, interview preparation tools and workplace etiquette.

Solutions for the Planet will work with three local schools to deliver an enterprise and sustainability programme that will encourage young people to develop ideas with the support of business mentors. Finalists will be given the opportunity to speak at the Houses of Parliament.

Jon Brookes, Community Manager at Hammerson, said: “We are committed to engaging with the local community and are delighted to have been able to support these local projects through our Fund. All of these projects help to provide young people across the City with the essential skills and knowledge to be successful in securing future employment.”

Sally-Anne Greenfield, Chief Executive of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “It is inspiring to see companies in Leeds investing time and money back into the local community. With nearly 7,000 young people in Leeds out of education, employment or training, this is an issue that needs to be addressed. The grants from the Victoria Gate Fund will enable the projects to offer much needed skills to help young people reach their full potential and work towards gaining employment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Victoria Gate .