A youth employment hub has reached a major milestone, having helped 100 people into jobs since opening in February 2021.
Pendle YES Hub in Nelson provides people aged 16 to 24 living in the borough with free training, access to health and wellbeing activities and more.
In addition to supporting people into employment, the Hub also provides services and advice around a number of important issues, including domestic abuse, homelessness, nutrition, CV writing and interview skills.
Jennifer Wilkinson is one person who has been employed as a result of support at the Hub.
She said: “I lost my job and DWP saw that I was struggling with my mental health and confidence, so they made me an appointment with the YES Hub.
"I started to go to the activities and I got to meet new friends and I started to get better with my confidence and mental health.
"The Pendle YES Hub has also got me a new job. The staff are really helpful and I enjoyed all the activities and courses I have done with them.”
Active Lancashire has run the YES Hub on behalf of Pendle Borough Council during its first year.
The charity is involved in the delivery of several other programmes and partnerships across the county that help people enter work, connect communities, tackle inequalities and support economic growth using activity and fitness as a motivator.
Other key partners in the Hub include Job Centre Plus, Nelson and Colne College and Lancashire Adult Learning.
Chief executive of Active Lancashire, Adrian Leather, said: “Some young people have been greatly set back by the effects of the pandemic and found it harder to gain the skills and experience they need to enter employment.
"The Pendle YES Hub has been helping keep young people motivated who may otherwise be demoralized and isolated.
"The activity sessions are helping boost their confidence while tailored mentoring and support are boosting their skills – it’s a winning combination that will hopefully help 100s more in the coming years.”
Principal policy officer at Pendle Council, Gill Dickson, said: “The YES Hub is a great asset for Pendle, providing bespoke support for young people on their employment journey.
"Getting young people into employment and training is key for our local economy and helps improve health and wellbeing too.”
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