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Young people broaden their horizons in Edenbridge

As part of Community Safety Week local reporters and photographers can gain a unique insight into an innovative project that offers disengaged, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people vocational training to help them prepare for life and work.

The Horizon Project in Edenbridge works with young people from the widest range of socially excluded backgrounds providing them with real opportunities to gain skills, recognised qualifications, experience in painting and decorating as well as training in literacy, numeracy, IT, fitness and improved-self esteem.

This Wednesday (28 November), from 10am to 1pm, the Project Key Worker Sarah Hardcastle, who grew up near Edenbridge, will be on hand to talk to reporters.

The media will also have the chance to meet trainees, to ask them who referred them and why, what difference the project makes and what they are gaining from it.

The Horizon Project is primarily for young people aged 14 to 25 who are what is known as NEET - not in education, employment or training, or who have physical or learning disabilities or mental health concerns.

It aims to move those who are socially excluded from dependence to independence; this could mean gaining employment or moving onto further training or learning - with the confidence, skills and support to succeed.

Young people can put themselves forward for the project, or can be referred through their school, their parents or via partner agencies such as the police, wardens, youth workers, health workers, housing associations, community groups or churches.

Since opening in February over 60 young people have been through the doors of the Horizon Project in Edenbridge and eight of them have already progressed onto college.

One local teenager moved to Australia and secured a job there in his first week thanks, in his view, to the skills, self-confidence and support he gained from the project.

The Horizon Project is run by West Kent YMCA, with funding from the Sevenoaks District Community Safety Partnership, as well as other sources such as Kent County Council, local schools, Kent & Medway Learning Skills Council, Sevenoaks District Council's Voluntary and Community Sector grants, West Kent Extra and Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

Unlike most training courses, young people can start their training anytime, and some places are still available.

Anyone interested in joining can find out more by calling Sarah Hardcastle on 01732 865352, by e-mailing horizon.project@westkentymca.org.uk by texting 07872 987764 or by visiting the website www.westkentymca.org.uk.

Cllr Felicity Broomby, Sevenoaks District Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for community development, says: "The Horizon Project has been widely recognized as having a positive effect on the behaviour of those who attend and is held in high esteem in many quarters. The project not only helps participants get into employment, but also gives them other valuable skills, and has been responsible for turning many people's lives around."

Rob Marsh, Chief Executive for West Kent YMCA is understandably proud of the achievements of the Horizon Project, he adds: "We successfully work with young people who are angry, frustrated, excluded and feel hopeless. By giving them boundaries, respect, a sense of purpose and teaching them new skills it really helps them bring about lasting change."

The event forms part of Community Safety Week during which the Community Safety Partnership is highlighting the many projects that through funding from the Partnership have made a difference to residents across the District. This event is one in a series of opportunities for the media to find out more about the work taking place in the District to reduce crime and the fear of crime and strengthen communities.

The Partnership brings together all of the agencies in the District who can have an affect on crime and includes Kent Police, Sevenoaks District Council, Kent County Council, Kent Fire & Rescue Service, West Kent Primary Care Trust, Voluntary & Community Sector, Kent Drug & Alcohol Action Team, West Kent Housing, Moat Housing, Kent Youth Offending Team and the Probation Service.