Social mobility charity WeMindTheGap launching pilot programme for young men in Flintshire.

Social mobility charity WeMindTheGap is launching a ‘WeGrow’ pilot programme for young men in Flintshire. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

WeMindTheGap has been delivering WeGrow programmes to under-served young women across North Wales and the North West since 2014. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The programmes have had “real and lasting impacts” on the futures of these young people between the ages of 18 and 25, the charity has said.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“100% of all graduates report that they now feel more in control of their lives and 91% of graduates feel they now have new choices in life. The graduates from the programme have felt their life has completely changed for the better.” The charity said. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A pilot WeGrow programme for young men in Flintshire this October. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The first young men’s pilot is currently underway in Manchester which was launched in May 2021.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The programme will recruit 10 men aged between 18 and 25 in Flintshire who need a new direction and “don’t want their past to define their future.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The programme includes – 6 months employment, 30 hours per week at minimum wage, life coaching, new skills and experiences, qualifications, assistance in English and maths if needed.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A WeMindTheGap explains that “one of the main attributes to the programme is the dedicated mentor for encouragement and support for each programme participant.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“A key part of the programme which continues once the programme is complete through the follow on programme available to all participants known as gappies – WeBelong.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Flintshire’s team members Mark Rimmer and Emma Done will support the young men on this year’s programme as a Skipper and First Mate.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“They are there to provide dedicated support, structure and encouragement to the gappies.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Flintshire County Council’s Leader, Councillor Ian Roberts, said: “We are excited about the opportunities the WeMindTheGap WeGrow programme can offer young men in our community. These opportunities will allow these young men to make a difference to their future”.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

For more information contact Mark Rimmer on 0333 939 8818 / mark@wemindthegap.org.uk  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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