Widnes keen to ‘Engage And Inspire’ adults

WIDNES VIKINGS are launching the ‘Engage And Inspire’ initiative to improve the wellbeing and employability of adults in the area, in partnership with the Workers Educational Association (WEA).

The WEA have been providing educational opportunities since 1903 and this current partnership will see 50 unemployed adults supported over 24 weeks.

The Vikings Learning Centre will head up the programme, which will see participants focus on their personal development, goal setting and mental resilience, as well as learning about how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Applicants must be 18 or over and unemployed, with the 50 participants then split into five groups of 10, as each group progresses towards gaining a suitable qualification focused on employability.

There will be weekly 1-2-1 ‘Inspire’ meetings with mentors to offer progression support, with physical activities also on offer.

Participants will have weekly access to IT facilities to aid in job seeking and also find opportunities to take part in social action activities, with this service still available after the initial 10 weeks of support is over.

Charlotte Jakeman, education officer at Widnes Vikings, commented: “We’re really looking forward to kicking off the Engage And Inspire programme here at the Halton Stadium.

“The Vikings Learning Centre already offer a great Employability course which has seen students move from voluntary work into paid positions. We are hoping for more success through this new programme, and we will also be focusing on improving mental resilience during our delivery.

“This is a great opportunity for adults out of work to gain a qualification which will lead to bigger and better things.” ● Enrolment for the programme is now open. For more information please contact Charlotte Jakeman, education officer at Widnes Vikings, on 0151-495 2250 or email charlottej@widnesvikings.co.uk