Published 6 February 2013
Veterans’ support for out of work parents
The Active Plus team: Simon Burt Photography
The ESF Convergence backed Active Plus project has launched a new initiative, which encourages out of work parents to volunteer to work alongside military veterans providing personal development training for pupils in schools.
The project aims to help both parents and trainers acquire employability and work experience skills, which will help them towards further training, work experience and employment.
The project is being piloted at Helston Community College, Cornwall. Veterans will be teaching pupils a variety of skills including drill, field craft and personal safety – all aimed at boosting team work, communication and ambitions.
Active Plus is supported by ESF Convergence via Cornwall Works and by Jobcentre Plus via the Flexible Support Fund. It originated through a ground-breaking initiative conceived by the ESF Innovation, Transnationality and Mainstreaming Programme Cornwall Works 50+.
Veterans who have physical injuries or have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, offer training to people, including those who are out of work or are suffering from loneliness, rural and social isolation.
The training includes skills the veterans learned whilst in the forces, consisting of problem solving, first aid and interview techniques. This develops confidence and communication skills and raises aspirations so participants have more chance of finding work or setting up their own business. The initiative also supports the combat veterans as it encourages social interaction, builds confidence and can help them gain qualifications and wider experience.
Tim Cocks, Active Plus Director, said, “The Helston Community College project is a brand new idea where we plan to have two injured veterans – Chris and Stan – delivering activities on a weekly basis to support students and provide opportunities for parents to gain employability and work experience skills by working alongside the veterans.
"Once the parent is involved, further support and training can be offered including training from the veterans or one to one support from Cornwall Works for families, Careers South West and employment advisers. The aim is to encourage the parents into employment, volunteering and further training or work experience. At the same time the project will support the students and the veterans. We are starting the students off with drill training and later a former member of the Special Forces will be coming in to teach personal safety – a course he designed from his own experiences in combat zones."
Mark Yeoman, Head of ESF Convergence Communication, said, "Active Plus has successfully used ESF Convergence investment from word go to support a variety of people from different backgrounds into work and volunteering. This project will add another valuable strand to the variety of innovative packages on offer."
Helston Community College Assistant Headteacher David McDonald said,
"Helston College is pleased to be working in partnership with Active Plus and West Cornwall Youth Trust to enable injured veterans to share their life experiences. The students will be participating in a variety of activities and training which will enhance their progression in raising aspirations and achievement. The veterans are fantastic role models and will be inspiring the students through a disciplined structure of teamwork and communication activities."
As well as ESF Convergence the Helston Community College project is also supported by West Cornwall Youth Trust which has provided funding to help support the students.