BREAD bosses at Warburtons have teamed up with charity Who Cares? Scotland to lend a hand to young job seekers.

The company has given £9000 for the Reaching Higher employment programme.

From September, 15 care experienced young people will take part in a five-week pre-employment training scheme.

Brett Warburton, Executive Director of Warburtons said: "As a family business, we’re always looking for ways to support our local communities and encourage young people to strive to reach their full potential, so we're really excited about this project.

"Who Cares? Scotland’s work will provide invaluable support for young people and adults across to help them gain the confidence and skills they need to help them achieve their professional aspirations. "We’re delighted to be able to support this work and look forward to seeing how the project progresses.”

Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national organisation dedicated to care experienced people.

As well as help with employment, it provides an advocacy service to children and young people who are currently in care, to ensure their voices are heard when decisions are being taken about their lives.

It also offers opportunities for care experienced young people to come together through a range of clubs, groups and other events including an annual Summer Camp.

Duncan Dunlop, CEO of Who Cares? Scotland, said: “We are enormously grateful to Warburtons for their financial support and we are also excited to launch our partnership with the Warburtons Bellshill site. "At Who Cares? Scotland, we believe in the power and potential of Care Experienced people while also recognising the additional challenges they face as a result of their experience of care.

"Warburtons’ support for our Reaching Higher programme will help us to train and develop a new cohort of trainees, ultimately building confidence and skills to support them as they embark on their first job.

"It’s this kind of partnership working, between the charity sector and companies like Warburtons, that can make a difference in the lives of young people.”