WeMindTheGap in partnership with Cheshire College – South and West

WeMindTheGap has formed a partnership with Cheshire College – South & West offering new opportunities for young people in the area.

Cheshire College – South & West are partnering with WeMindTheGap to offer the WeDiscover programme.  The WeDiscover programme was successfully launched as a virtual pilot programme across Wrexham and Flintshire in 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Being a virtual programme, it offers new opportunities to young people who struggle with mobility issues, and/or suffer from anxiety or isolation.

Gareth Edwards, Assistant Director at Cheshire College, has been instrumental in the development of the collaboration and is excited about the partnership and the opportunities it can bring to the young people of the area. Gareth said:

“Providing young people with the skills, experience and qualifications that will prepare them for their future and encourage them to become confident individuals is at the heart of everything we do at Cheshire College.

“The WeDiscover programme is fun, interactive and motivating. I believe that anyone can achieve their goals if they set their mind to it and through our partnership with WeMindTheGap we aim to make the journey to success easier for young people.”

The programme, starting on October 4^th 2021, is a 10-week virtual programme for young people in the area aged 16-19 years who are not currently in employment, education or training who need a focus and help planning their next steps.

Programme participants will benefit from new-found confidence and self-esteem, develop new friendships and broaden their horizons. They will also be able to gain up to four qualifications as part of the programme, including Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills, Maths, English and Digital Skills.

The programme gives the participants a structure to their day, a dedicated mentor for encouragement and support and this continues once the programme is complete through the follow-on programme available to all participants known as gappies – WeBelong.

One of the previous WeDiscover participants commented: “I haven’t been at school since I was 14 and can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed learning new things.”

If you are a young person who is interested in hearing more about the programme and how to get involved or if you know of a young person you feel may benefit from such a programme, please contact Laura Columbine on 0333 939 8818 / laura@wemindthegap.org.uk

WeMindTheGap gives new opportunities in life and work for young people who deserve better. Filling the gaps in their lives with unashamed support, encouragement and care.

70% of young people progress from WeMindTheGap programmes to paid employment, volunteering or education.

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