Disadvantaged families across North Wales are facing a brighter future. thanks to a series of charity partnerships we have forged.

Since July 2019, St Giles has been working closely with Denbighshire Youth Service in Rhyl, one of the most deprived towns in North Wales, to set up training opportunities. The partnership has helped develop positive relationships with members of a young parent group who have been affected by poverty and poor access to further education and jobs.

St Giles has also worked closely with Communities For Work to help arrange funding for childcare – a significant barrier to progression –  so that parents are able to follow up opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills, by gaining real qualifications and adding value in peer-to-peer support in their communities.

Over 50 participants have engaged and completed the initial training programme with half going off into work placements and completing an NVQ Level 3 qualification. Between those learners they have supported over 400 clients across the last three years.

Despite lockdown, a positive relationship with Denbighshire Youth Service and Communities For Work has flourished. Members of the group have gained employment for the first time ever and this cycle has continued.

St Giles has met more new parents who want an opportunity to progress and have also gained referrals directly from communities for work who are embarking on work placements and NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance.

As a result of these partnerships, parents from across Denbighshire can now gain qualifications, often for the first time in their lives. They can build on their confidence and develop group working skills, something many of them have found challenging in the past due to barriers.

One parent said:

 I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity St Giles has given me by funding child care, which removed the barriers I had in order to take the Peer Advisor course, I’ve loved every moment of the course and gained so much confidence to now move forward to gaining my first qualification in a volunteer work placement. This has been a great experience.”

Lisa Owen, St Giles North Wales Hub Coordinator and Trainer Assessor said:

 I am very proud of the programme we have built here in North Wales. It enables us to work with the most incredible individuals who have demonstrated, that with the right support and encouragement, that they can achieve their goals and have a positive impact on the wider community”

All participants are now being supported by the team to move forward and St Giles will continue to work with Denbighshire Youth Service to ensure this can continue to be offered to interested participants, with Communities for Work supporting childcare funding. St Giles is also very excited to be working with Denbigh Youth Project and HWB Denbigh who will be supporting a work placement for a peer.