Lifetracks programme announced at House of Commons
A groundbreaking new programme will use a combination of online and on-the-ground services to help young people including some of the most disadvantaged in the UK - increase their employability.
The three-year Lifetracks programme will empower and support 16 to 25-year-olds to make informed choices about their work, training and study and is showcased at the House of Commons today (3 June 2009).
The programme will be delivered by a consortium of four respected UK youth charities - The Foyer Federation, Skill, Rathbone and YouthNet - thanks to a £5m investment by the Vodafone Foundation and a further £1.5m match funding from v, The National Young Volunteers Service.
Fiona Dawe, YouthNet Chief Executive, commented: "Lifetracks offers young people a unique blend of online and offline support that draws on the combined expertise, experience and commitment of all four partner charities. As well as a universal web-based service to young people looking for advice and support around work, study and training, Lifetracks will offer an intensive and ongoing programme of online and offline support for some of the UK's most disadvantaged young people to enable them to take the next step into training, education or employment.
"We applaud the vision of the Vodafone Foundation and v – and their vital commitment to young people, particularly important in these uncertain times."
The new Lifetracks programme includes:
- Street engagement teams reaching the most disengaged young people, including young offenders
- Intensive coaching, face-to-face support and peer advice to homeless young people
- Helplines using telephone, SMS and email to support young disabled people
- A volunteer network of more than 4,000 young people who will develop, support and share Lifetracks with their peers
- A website, and a suite of online services, developed with young people for young people utilising the latest technology.
Vodafone Foundation Director, Andrew Dunnett, commented: "Young people have always been a key focus of the Vodafone Foundation's work and now, more than ever, young people in the UK need help and support to take the next step into work, training or study and so realise their potential. This innovative and ambitious programme puts new technology at the heart of the solution alongside face-to-face engagement and support and the Foundation is proud to be funding these four respected charities' vital work delivering the Lifetracks programme."
The House of Commons event will be hosted by Natascha Engel MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs. Martyn Lewis CBE, YouthNet's Chairman and Founder, will host a Q&A session with young people from each of the partner charities, to hear about their involvement with the new Lifetracks programme.
Media contacts:
For media information, please contact Katy Miller, Lifetracks Media and PR Officer at YouthNet on 020 7250 5777 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755. Email media@youthnet.org
Notes to Editors:
About YouthNet: Online communications charity YouthNet specialises in using new technologies to inspire support and engage young people across the UK. YouthNet delivers a range of online services to thousands of young people each month via two award-winning websites, TheSite.org and do-it.org.uk. YouthNet is proud to lead the consortium and is bringing Lifetracks to life on the web. www.youthnet.org
About Rathbone: Rathbone supports around 14,000 of the UK's most socially excluded 14 to 24 year-olds each year, helping them succeed and re-engage with learning through a range of tailor-made programmes. www.rathboneuk.org
About Skill: Skill promotes learning and employment opportunities for all disabled people over 16. This includes a free information and advice service for individuals and their families and the professionals who work with them, via a telephone and SMS helpline, email and website. www.skill.org.uk
About The Foyer Federation: The Foyer Federation transforms lives by supporting disadvantaged young people through their transition to independence. It works in partnership with a UK-wide network of Foyers, and develops programmes that integrate accommodation with training, job search, personal support and motivation. www.foyer.net
About the Vodafone Foundation: The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in projects since its creation in 2002 concentrating on disaster relief, helping disadvantaged young people via sport and music initiatives and specific projects across Vodafone's 24 local Foundations worldwide www.vodafonefoundation.org
About v: v aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers (aged 16-25) in England. They do this by funding voluntary organisations all over England to create inspiring, diverse opportunities and by helping to overcome barriers that stop people from taking action to improve lives, communities and the planet. v's aim is to create a culture where volunteering comes naturally – and where the benefits of volunteering are understood and celebrated. v is an independent charity launched in May 2006 as a result of the Russell Commission report, A National Framework for Youth Action and Engagement. See vinspired.com for more information.