Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

CHARITY PARTNERSHIP HELPING TACKLE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT Ulster Rugby’s two-year charity partnership with children and young people’s charity Include Youth has got off to a kicking start.

So far we’ve marked #BookWeekNI, organised work place tours, made links with local clubs, taken part in a bucket collection with Ulster Rugby’s generous fans, organised a Christmas present appeal for young people in care and launched a mouth-watering recipe book with help from Slim’s Healthy Kitchen. Paddy Mooney, Director at Include Youth, said: “We are so proud that Ulster Rugby is supporting our work with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, in particular they are helping us deliver physical activity programmes and connect young people to potential employers and positive role models in their community. “The partnership has created a real buzz among staff and young people and throughout the next two seasons we want to see more young people from disadvantaged situations take part in rugby, move positively into employment and thrive in their community.” Include Youth supports children and young people who are in care, from disadvantaged communities or whose rights are not being met, improve their employability, increase their self-esteem and reach their full potential across Northern Ireland. Ashleigh (24) is a young mother with limited family support, who got involved in Include Youth when she was 17. “When I was younger I was on Include Youth’s Give & Take: Core, an employability programme

for young people in care. It helps young people gain qualifications and work experience. I stayed in touch with the workers and got involved in some of their community-based projects after I had my son. “When I joined their Meant to Work project in April 2016 I really wanted to gain full-time work in the social care sector, as I had lots of voluntary experience working with vulnerable young people and adults,” said Ashleigh. Include Youth staff gave her practical support with job applications and interview techniques, and her peer mentor accompanied her and provided transport to and from her job interview. She was successful and gained casual shifts at a homeless drop-in and outreach centre. Still engaged with the Meant to Work team, and after three months in the post, a full-time opportunity arose within the organisation and Ashleigh was successful in securing it. Ashleigh adds:“I have calmed down a lot and my confidence has grown. I had lots of volunteering experience but didn’t feel like I was ready or able to get a job. The Meant to Work team supported me, built up my confidence and helped me with the practical things like filling in applications that I’d always struggled with before. I’m so happy right now and feel like this is a career for life.” For all the latest news, updates and photos, follow Include Youth on twitter @IncludeYouth or on Facebook ‘Include Youth organisation’.

CHARITY PARTNER

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