Include Youth and Western Trust reaffirm shared commitment to supporting care-experienced young people

Include Youth welcomed more than 30 social workers from across the Western Trust to its Stakeholder Day on Friday, November 14, marking the ongoing commitment to care-experienced young people. 

Held during National Care Leavers Month, the event highlighted the achievements of  young people across the region and explored how collaborative support can continue  to remove barriers and create new opportunities. 

Speaking at the event, John McComb, Include Youth Regional Director, and Nia Loughlin, Head of Service for 16 + Pathway Service in the Western Trust, emphasised  the positive and growing impact of the partnership. 

“Our work together continues to impact the lives of care experienced young people  across the Western Trust area,” said John McComb. “By combining our resources,  expertise and belief in young people, we are helping them build confidence, skills and  brighter futures.”

Include Youth’s Give and Take programme supports care-experienced young people  aged 16–21 through tailored personal development, education, employability and  mentoring support. Across the programme 84% progressed into education,  employment or training. This year in the Western Trust area 48 young people engaged  and were supported on the programme.  

Staff shared inspiring examples of young people gaining confidence, overcoming challenges and setting new aspirations through wraparound support and crisis  intervention when needed. 

The Western Trust Employability Service, working closely with Include Youth, supported 116 young people with careers guidance, interviews, applications, work  experience and training. 

Key highlights include: 44 young people moved into employment, including 12 through the Jobstart  programme, 7 young people progressed into employment within the Trust. 

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One participant shared the life-changing impact of the programme: “Meeting Emma transformed my life. I learned to read, secured a job, earned my  qualification and now have my first home. I can read bedtime stories to my son. I’m so  grateful for everything the employability service has helped me achieve.”