Weymouth Fire Station wants young people to join Prince's Trust scheme

Do you want to take control of your future? Do you fancy getting a decent qualification, spending a week on Dartmoor, doing a community project and taking part in a team challenge?

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service's Princes Trust programme are looking for young adults to take part in the brand new 12 week programme at Weymouth Community Fire Station. In Dorset many volunteers move on to full time or part time employment, training and voluntary work.The personal development programme allows 16-25 year olds to undertake many different activities whilst they are working towards a City and Guilds qualification. The participants, who usually come from a variety of different backgrounds, will have the opportunity to spend a week away at a residential activity centre, undertake a project based in their local community, complete a work placement and participate in a team challenge, involving caring for others.

Jo McGowan, Princes Trust Programme Co-Ordinator said: "The course is aimed at helping to change the lives of these young people. It gives them something to aim for and a better chance within the workforce. We run courses throughout the year across Dorset, but the team in Weymouth will commence on Monday 30th January."

For more information please call Jo on 01305 753032 or 07990 950391.

The Prince's Trust was founded in 1976 by HRH The Prince of Wales. The core aim of the Trust is to help young people get on in life. The Team Programme started in 1990 and to date has helped over 50,000 young people aged 16-25 years old by guiding them through a Personal Development Programme.

Breakdown of the Programme

Week One: The team spend the first week undertaking team building exercises, a one-day community project, fundraising and preparing for the residential week. All team members are screened for basic skills needs. The team also agree a team contract establishing behavioural expectations for the following 12 weeks.

Week Two: The team continue their team building experience at a residential centre on Dartmoor, Devon. The activities during this week vary. However, they culminate in a final challenge on day five. During this week, the team works on team and personal development skills.

Week Three: The team identifies, plans, funds and undertakes a local community project. They negotiate the project with the recipients, raise the money and materials by a variety of means and do the work prior to handing the completed task over to the recipient.

Weeks Six - Eight: During this period, unemployed volunteers complete a three week work placement. This is usually within the voluntary sector. However, if a volunteer identifies a specific career path, then every effort is made to facilitate a placement with a relevant employer. Employed volunteers return to their own place of work for this period.

Week Nine: This week focuses on post-programme preparation. During this week many organisations are invited to talk to the volunteers, ie careers, voluntary organisations, army etc. Job search strategies, curriculum vitae planning and interview techniques are covered.

Weeks 10 and 11: The team plans and fund raises for a second community challenge which involves taking local groups, such as disabled children and elderly residents, out for the day. The volunteers are responsible for planning and financing each project and liaising with organisations to achieve their objective.

Week 12: The team prepare for their final presentation which will take place in front of invited dignitaries, family and friends. This is a celebration of the programme and each volunteer is given the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about their development.