Eight meet ‘royal’ challenge

EIGHT young people from Rochdale are facing the future with confidence after taking part in a life-skills course.

The youngsters all completed the Groundwork Prince’s Trust challenge, where they took stock of their lives, thought about what they want to achieve and worked at getting the skills needed.

Under the guidance of team leader Chris Grieve the young people, aged between 18 and 25, took part in life-skills training and work experience to prepare themselves for the world of work or a return to education.

Prior to joining the programme most had fallen into a routine of waking up late, playing video games, watching films all day and generally letting one day roll into the next.

After completing the course they have renewed confidence and new skills to allow them to move on to employment, further education, training or volunteering.

Jake Morris, one of those who took the course, said: “Before the course I found it difficult to do simple things like catch the bus or meet people.

“Now I am out and about and even speaking in public.

“I could never have done this 12 weeks ago”.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Community Partnership supported the programme through, providing work experience and encouragement for the team.

One of the tasks given to the team was to tidy and landscape a park area in Falinge.

They also took local kids from Greave and Falinge to the zoos at both Blackpool and Chester.

An RBH spokesperson said: “Providing training and opportunities for people looking to change the course of their life is very important to RBH.

“Not only is it literally life-changing for the individual but it has a positive impact on our neighbourhoods and the life of our borough.”