Promoting 'Pathfinder' in the NW of Glasgow

Today was the perfect opportunity to continue spreading the word about our highly successful work training programme 'Pathfinder'. Our development worker Jordan visited community centres and youth providers throughout the North West to share information on the programme. Pathfinder is aimed at 16-24 year olds in the North West of Glasgow. Together with our partner 'Workingrite', we (DRC Youth Project) aim to offer ongoing support to young people who are ready to make the next step in their lives. Through meaningful engagement, we will work together with each young person to find a positive pathway into employment no matter what situation they find themselves in.

Young people who participate in the programme will gain a 3 month placement with a suitable organisation. Each participant will receive £90 p/w and will gain accreditation during their time on the programme. There are opportunities to be kept on for apprenticeships and full time employment. 

Please do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Our office number is 0141-951-8669 or email us at gerard.drc@hotmail.com

Pathfinder - Group Work

Here are some of our more recent Pathfinder trainees actively participating in a group exercise designed to develop their communication skills. In this session the group had to work together to untangle the knot without letting go of their hands. The trainees have all progressed to work placements now, with 2 of them gaining employment already.

Pathfinder Update

Well done to Chelsea (pictured middle), one of our Pathfinder trainees. Chelsea never believed she would be able to enter the care profession without experience or qualifications but now after 10 weeks on placement at David Cargill House she is on target to gain a Modern Apprenticeship. Carla (left) was a trainee with Workingrite 3 years ago and she gained a Modern Apprenticeship with David Cargill House. The difference this has made for her is unbelievable. Amanda (right) was on the Pathfinder programme last November. She was unemployed for a long time and couldn't believe it when after only 2 weeks she was employed straight away by David Cargill House and is now a Senior. 

Ultra White Collar Boxing - Sunday 13th September

Members of staff from the DRC attended a charity boxing event on Sunday evening in the Normandy Hotel in Paisley. We were there to see a long term member of the youth project, Ryan McMillan, box in his first fight. Ryan has been training for 8 weeks with his fellow fighters and professional boxing coaches at a UWCB affiliated gym in Maryhill. We've been so impressed with the dedication Ryan has shown throughout his training and the bravery shown to fight in front of a capacity crowd. 

DRC/ AFFIT 'Fun Day'

On Saturday the 'DRC Youth Project' and 'AFFIT' held a 'Fun Day' in Yoker. We were blessed with great weather and a brilliant turn out from the local community who had a great time. We would like to thank Brian and AFFIT 'North West Recovery Communities', Cope Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue's Knightswood Station, the DRC Environment Trust, NHS Smoking Cessation, Yoker Community Campus and all the young people for volunteering to help make the event such a great success. 

Throughout the day we arranged some old school sports activities to keep everyone on their toes! As well as 'beat the goalie' we held a few rounds of the sack race and the egg 'n' spoon race. These races were very competitive! We had a few dodgy tactics being used to get over the finishing line but all done in good spirit. Well done to everyone who took part.

We would like to thank the fire fighters from Scottish Fire and Rescue's Knightswood Station for visiting our Fun Day. After showing everyone around the fire engine they soaked anyone who needed cooling down. A great way to end the day. 

We were joined by some very talented people during the Fun Day. We'd like to thank our face painter Michelle Lynch for the fantastic artwork she created. The queues for Michelle's stall were continuously busy and quite rightly so. The face paint looked magic and the young people loved the designs. 

There were plenty of opportunities to get creative and take part in activities throughout the day. In the crèche area young people took part in arts and crafts activities while in the main hall everyone was welcome to test their fitness on the DRC Environment Trust's 'Pedal Power'. Pedal Power uses pedal powered electricity generators to power a smoothy machine. Using sheer will and determination, 67 people took a place on one of the bikes and powered the smoothy machine to make their very own smoothy. The hard work paid off for everyone in the end!

Employability - Positive Outcomes

Massive congratulations from everyone at the DRC and Workingrite to Tony, another Pathfinder trainee, who has been taken on full time by his employer Mac-Mas Construction Limited. Tony is a long term member of the DRC and has made great progress throughout his years with the project.  Here are some pictures of two jobs he’s been working on. Well done Tony!