A NEW initiative providing bespoke support to young people who are looking for work is coming to Tameside.
The six-week Tameside Futures programme is free and open to those aged 16-25 and is being delivered by Reform Radio in partnership with the Prince’s Trust and Tameside Council.
The programme includes a two-week Podcasting Boot Camp where participants will learn how to develop and script a podcast, create relevant and interesting content, learn the ins and outs of audio production, social media and creative writing. They will also get experience of producing and presenting in a live radio show.
The young people will link in with and create podcasts for local employers and creative organisations who are currently recruiting for paid roles and will interview at the end of this process.
The following four weeks are bespoke and offer opportunities to access workshops and 1-1 support in areas including wellbeing, CV writing, applications, interview prep, work placements and other flexible support to fit around you.
The project is not just for podcasters or people wanting to do podcasting but aims to develop employment, transferrable and digital skills while improving confidence and overall well-being.
Past participants praised the course and the team who deliver it, and welcomed the skills it taught them.
One said: “Over the last two weeks I haven’t had anything negative to say. Coming into it I was a bit sceptical.
“I’ve learnt how to make a podcast even stronger and made friends that will last forever. The space allows as much creative thinking as possible. The team was amazing.”
Another added: “When I started this whole thing, I was very quiet, I was very self conscious and I wasn’t good at talking to people.
“You’d never have thought that guy at the start of the week would be sitting here presenting a radio show. That confidence build was very much needed.”
In order to be eligible for the project you must be aged 16-25, be unemployed or not in education and must have a Tameside postcode. No previous experience is needed.
A taster session is being held on Friday, March 4 from 12.30pm-2.30pm at 4C Community Centre, Taunton Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9DR.
Then the project runs from Monday, March 7 to Friday, March 18 (weekdays) from 10am-4pm at the same venue.
The project is free of charge, all refreshments and lunch will be provided and all travel costs to and from the project will be paid, for within reason.
For more information or to sign up email projects@reformradio.co.uk or call / text 07943 820153 or 0161 806 0879.