A project to support young people in Cornwall and the isles of Scilly into work or long-term learning has received £3.1m of European Social Funding from the Big Lottery Building Better Opportunities project.  The funding will enable a programme of support that will help young people improve their personal and employability skills and progression into employment and learning.  The investment is part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme.

Game Changer is delivered across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by RIO – the Real Ideas Organisation – which has a wealth of experience delivering projects for young people having developed numerous effective activities that put young people at the heart of what they are doing so that they direct their own journey and outcomes.  RIO has put together a highly experienced, employer-led partnership to deliver Game Changer and a group of young people already supported by RIO have provided siginificant input into the project design so it is developed by young people, for young people.

The Game Changer project will transform the lives of more than 1,000 young people aged 15 – 24 living in challenging circumstances in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will support them to overcome the complex challenges they face, understand their individual strengths and interests, develop skills and experiences and, build connectivity and networks resulting in more than half of them moving into work or long term learning.

Sandra Rothwell, Cornwall Council’s head of Economic Growth and Development and Chief Executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership said, “quite simply, the young people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are our future.  It is imperative that we offer support to all, including those who face challenging circumstances.  If we get it right now, we can help improve the quality of life for them and their families for years to come”.

Kate Reed, Head of Employability and Pathways at RIO leads the Game Changer project, said, “Game Changer is not only about innovative approaches to the future of yet to be discovered talented young people across Cornwall now but is about creating pathways for future generations that work for young people, employers and the community of Cornwall.

If you would like to be involved in Game Changer or you know someone who would, you can contact kate.reed@realideas.org

Notes to editor

European Social Fund

The project is receiving up to £3,101,300 of funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions is the Managing Authority for the England ESF programme. Established by the European Union ESF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, skills development, job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations.  For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding