East End group FARE Scotland transforms lives of young people

Rebecca Sinclair, 16, from Easterhouse, left school uncertain about what she wanted to do next, but she has since been supported into a childcare apprenticeship.

She was assisted by FARE Scotland, which has seen more than 200 young people aged between 16 and 24 go into further training, education or employment this year.

Rebecca Sinclair

Rebecca said: “Getting a place on the childcare programme was exciting and it was the first time I’d ever looked forward to starting any kind of learning.

"I built a more comfortable bond with the programme team than I had ever done with the teachers at school and felt like I was treated more like an adult, which motivated me to do well."

FARE's employability programme includes courses in sport, hospitality, retail, early years education and hair and beauty.

Young people can also take part in sessions on confidence-building, team-building and developing their CVs and interview skills.

Rebecca Sinclair

Rebecca added: “I now have qualifications in first aid, British Sign Language and personal money management, as well as practical knowledge about areas such as safeguarding, childhood development theories, session planning and working with children with additional support needs, and that has helped me move into an apprenticeship in childcare.

"I learned a lot of skills that I can use in the real world that will benefit me massively as I get older and go further in my career."

Expenses are covered by FARE and they provide a weekly allowance to help the young people get a headstart while also encouraging them to be engaged and motivated.

Rebecca said: “It was also the first time I’d earned my own money and that gave me a real sense of freedom and independence. The team at FARE really helped me to achieve things I didn’t think I could.

"This apprenticeship means so much to me and everything I have learned on the course has set me up to start out in a new role with the confidence to succeed.”

Rebecca Sinclair

In the latest group of young people helped by FARE's programme, 73 have gone on to further or higher education, 42 have re-engaged with school and a further 35 are taking part in training courses or apprenticeships.

Meanwhile, 30 have gone straight into a job or volunteering, while another 20 are still involved with FARE’s programmes.

Bernie Devlin, employability manager at FARE Scotland, said: “Each year our employability scheme grows to support more young people in the area to achieve what we call positive destinations – whether that’s employment, further training or education.

"The success of the latest programme is testament to the commitment and hard work of the more than 200 young people who took part, as well as our team of tutors, who make such a positive impact on the lives of our participants and their families.”

The programme has been made such a success with the help of £20,000 funding grant through the Glasgow Community Anchors’ Fund in partnership between the HFD Charitable Foundation and Virgin Money Foundation.

FARE employability group

Kat Ovenden, a trustee of the HFD Charitable Foundation, said: “Through the Glasgow Community Anchors’ Fund, we are supporting a range of good causes that make a significant impact for local people in Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

"FARE’s careers programme opens the door to a range of employment and training opportunities for young people that will help them to build a successful future and it is great to see such positive outcomes from the latest cohort.”

Kate Bradley, executive director (maternity cover) at the Virgin Money Foundation, added: “Since 2020, Virgin Money Foundation and HFD Charitable Foundation have been working together to fund vital community services in Glasgow through our Community Anchors programme in areas that need it most.

"FARE Scotland is a brilliant example of a local community organisation seeking to make positive change and working to reduce poverty and transform lives for young people.”