40 Ashley is trying to set up his own business time together more. “Now I want to get my head down and move on as soon as I can. I work as a cleaner at a school, just doing ten hours a week, and Tracey has helped me get on to an apprenticeship course in football coaching at Crawley Football Club.”
The key workers at the Y Centre each work with about ten young people. When a young person moves in, the key worker explains the house rules and what is expected of them. Then they meet maybe a week later after they are settled and work on a support plan. Emma Lewis is a student social worker, on a work placement from Kingston University. Emma said: “It’s basically going through their needs, budgeting, work skills and how they might move on into new accommodation. “You put plans into place and it gives them something to work towards. Sometimes they can get fiery when they are upset about something, but you just manage the situation and it’s all about communication. “I think the frustrations they have here are the same as all young people - money, and reaching where they want to be. “So it’s about positive action and planning. Some of the youths in here now are ready to go but there is nothing for them to go to, which is why we are trying to promote the empty homes scheme. “I’ve seen two people move out. When one lad who moved on recently told us he was going, he was beaming. He has gained skills here and now he can go on and be independent, and that’s very satisfying for us.”
Ashley Evans is trying something a little different. He is an artist who hopes to set up his own business. With the help of the Y Centre he is hoping to obtain a grant from the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Scheme. The scheme helps young unemployed people establish their own small business. Ashley, who is 23 and has been at the Y Centre for a year, said: “I like it here, but I
‘I’m trying to set up my own business, printing T-shirts and posters and flyers for bands’ keep myself to myself. I’m a bit of a recluse. I just sit in my room and draw. “I’m trying to set up my own business, printing T-shirts and posters and flyers for bands. The staff here help me to cope with money and budgeting. “I’m 23 so I want to move on but I do feel a bit stuck here, which is frustrating. I want my own place and I want to move on with my life. I’m trying to get an enterprise grant through the Prince’s Trust, and YMCA helped me set that up, and that would be a start.”
Mark Grainger Landscaping and driveway construction Established since 1989
Moving on is a real issue, so Central Sussex YMCA is looking at the private renting sector. The Association has bid for Lottery funding to set up an Empty Homes Scheme. Locally, the Horsham Y Centre is linking up with Horsham District Council and West Sussex County Council to look at empty homes and move young people into them. If you can help with a property, and would like to discuss the scheme email emptyhomes@sussexcentralymca.org.uk
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01403 822512/07779 583868 email: mark.grainger4@hotmail.co.uk
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