Big Lottery and Highland Council Funding granted to Springboard Initiative

Issued by The Springboard Charity

The Big Lottery Fund Scotland (BLF) and The Highland Council have awarded funding to Springboard to run a project called ‘Face2face’ aimed at helping disadvantaged and vulnerable young people across the Highlands to reach their potential.

The project will be delivered by Springboard, working in partnership with Barnardo’s
focussing on helping those leaving care or the criminal justice system, aged 16 -21 years old into work. The aim is to support 80 vulnerable young people , each year. ‘Face2face’ will be based in Inverness and operate across the Highlands and run initially for a 3 year period.

The ‘Face2face’ initiative will focus on five key phases; offering assistance with basic life skills, an introduction into the world of work, pre-employment training,  a work placement and continued 121 support. The final phase is continuing to support the young people with their transition into work and ultimately, to independent living.

Jenifer Cameron, Regional Operations Manager, Springboard Highlands and Islands commented: “This project will make a difference, for the better, to many young people across the Highlands who at present just don’t reach their potential because their lives are especially difficult. It is great that Big Lottery Fund and the Highland Council have had the vision to back this new initiative and we look forward to making a material difference to people’s lives”.

Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chair of Adult & Children’s Services for The Highland Council added: “This is a tremendous joint initaitive, which will provide valuable support for looked after children and disadvantaged young people.  It will assist them into work placements and, we envisage, into real jobs and greater future security.  Highland Council greatly welcomes this new partnership”.

The funding issued by the Big Lottery Fund, Scotland and The Highland Council totals £615,648 and will support the project until 2016.

About Springboard:

Springboard provides a range of opportunities for sustainable employment, or vibrant careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism through;

They equip people with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their potential.

Springboard also works closely with industry to help attract more talent and address skills shortages. In doing so, it has the support of over 180 different industry establishments and suppliers.

For more information about Springboard, visit www.springboard.uk.net