Magna Vitae was awarded £230,000 of Community Investment Funding by the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership to support an employability programme called ‘Aspire To Be.’
The programme seeks to help and support people to gain jobs in hospitality and leisure ,and access training opportunities and work experience leading to potential long-term employment.
The ‘Aspire to Be’ programme is supporting people’s mental and physical wellbeing, and providing people with the tools and skills needed for future careers – boosting self-confidence and gaining qualifications.
On receiving the funding to support the programme, Aeneas Richardson, Executive Director for Magna Vitae, said:
“We are delighted that Magna Vitae has been chosen to lead on the Employability Programme to support local educational providers, uplift skills, and employment opportunities this project will help create.
“This will benefit Magna Vitae hugely, especially with the opening of the new leisure centre development just around the corner but it will also simultaneously help individuals and other employers in Mablethorpe and the immediate surrounding area.”
Since the project started 28 people have been supported, at least five people that have taken part in programme in the last year have commenced employment and there have been several successes where individuals have gone on to attend training courses.
On the progress of the programme to date, Lindsay Barrett, HR Manager, added:
Learning new skills and gaining experience
“It gives me goosebumps thinking about some individuals that we’ve supported through the project, particularly two members of staff that we’ve employed at the leisure centre.
“They were unemployed, really struggled with motivation and confidence. We’ve really been able to support them to develop themselves personally but also qualify them to be lifeguards, swim teachers and be employed all year round in their local area.
“We are a seasonal town, a lot of people in the area can only gain employment from April to September. We have changed people’s lives. The individuals that are on the project at the moment never thought they would see themselves as lifeguards, swim teachers, helping people.”
People on the programme are assigned a support plan which includes training, work experience and the opportunity to access support for their mental health and wellbeing. The programme also provides support with social skills, confidence and motivation building.
Matthew Leighton
Matthew Leighton, a leisure attendant, who took part in Aspire to Be said:
“My confidence has definitely got a lot better. I can talk to people more. They’ve put me on an NPLQ course which is my lifeguard qualification, and it’s pretty much got me a whole career.
“I was in a rough place mentally, and after being on the course I’ve got so much better. It’s a massive opportunity for me.”
Read about the funding available and how to apply on our Community Investment Funding page.