We celebrated our hugely successful first year with a reception at Radstock Museum.
The Trust’s METS training project was commissioned to Somer Valley FM to deliver the outcomes. In its first year’s ‘pilot’ phase we targeted a number of different groups including School students under 16’s, young people not in education employment or training (NEET), those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and adults in recovery from addiction people with learning disabilities.
The Trust’s educational and charitable partners, local decision makers, funders and beneficiaries gathered to hear how the charity had got on in its first year. The evening began with a drinks reception at the museum for everyone to meet and enjoy live music from local folk violinist Nik Jovčić-Sas. SWALLOW charity, who have a group of members doing METS training, provided canapés.
Chair of trustees Michael Gorman, who previously was responsible for Looked After Children’s education in B&NES, welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of evening.
Michael commented, “METS provides training not only in media technology but also in skills such as teamwork, interviewing, listening and responding, working to deadlines, planning and sticking to a brief. This is what modern employers are looking for in potential employees and we are very proud of our track record to date in supporting young people into employment.”
Working with B&NES Youth Connect, the Trust awarded 11 Skill-Me-Up certificates to Year 8 & 9 students at Fosse-Way, Norton Hill and Somervale Schools. These certificates acknowledge skills gained through volunteering following completion of Somer Valley FM’s After School’s Training course that introduces students to radio production.
Simon Mills is a trustee of the Midsomer Norton School’s Partnership. He said, “Of course, national examination success should be celebrated and valued but unfortunately this is not always a reliable measure for many employers who require useable and practical skills in the workplace. For students the ability to differentiate themselves and develop clearly translatable workplace skills through the METS educational programme means they are almost certain to be assured of employment success.”
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Lucy Nelson, who founded the charity Tommy’s, also addressed the event, “I work with Somerset Lieutenancy and as a Trustee of Somerset Community Foundation we are trying to combat the problems caused by loneliness and isolation which are very prevalent in our rural and urban communities. A scheme such as METS lifts young people out of situations where loneliness and isolation might create mental health risks. The scheme gives people a voice and it creates a framework where communication is at the center of their life. It teaches crucial workplace skills without stress.
“I would like to see this scheme run out throughout Somerset and taken up by every community and commercial radio station partnering with local schools. It is a great example of Corporate Social Responsibility and is an opportunity for real social mobility. I think this is one of the coolest and most valuable schemes I have seen, and I am proud that it originates in Somerset.”
The Trusts Chief Executive Officer, Dom Chambers, told the event that 35 people had in fact benefited from the project: “That represents a social investment of just over £700 per person which is very little when you think of it in terms of savings to the state when someone goes from job seeking to employment. More importantly gaining the confidence and skills to communicate opens up all sorts of opportunities that help people improve the quality of their lives and combats isolation.”
Chris, who has been living in sheltered accommodation, has found a positive way forward for himself through the scheme. He is returning to full-time education to studio music production.
He explained, “I’m really excited as everything I have ever wanted is lining up for me. It’s not just the shoe fits. It’s the perfect shoe, all my hobbies and interests fall into a career. This has given me a structure so that I now have a way forward.”
As well as St John’s Foundation support for the scheme has also come from The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Sperring Charity. Dom also thanked the event sponsors King Watkins Accountants, Cognisant Research and EyePlan Ltd, saying that links with business will be crucial as the charity starts to scale up. He warmly thanked Radstock Museum for hosting the reception and all the help from their volunteers.
In outlining his vision Dom expressed particular gratitude for the faith St John’s Foundation placed in the scheme as the principal funders of METS. He said, “Charities are devisable into two categories; you either ‘do’ or enable others to ‘do’. If we are the ‘doers’ then St John’s have enabled this to be done.”
Sam Gillett is the Funding and Impact Manager for the Bath based charity. He said, “We have been delighted to be involved in the METS programme. From their first application it was clear the passion and dedication they had to supporting young local people to achieve their aspirations. We continue to work with Somer Valley Education Trust and challenge them to keep the project growing, reaching even further than they have done already.”
METS is an ongoing project. Visit our Projects page or contact us to find out more.