Mayor opens new youth workspace at The Platform Project

The Mayor of Swindon has officially opened a new youth workspace at The Platform Project, based in Swindon’s Edison Park.

Councillor Fay Howard visited the not-for-profit organisation’s Christmas Enterprise Fayre on Tuesday 9 December, during which the new space was unveiled.

The Platform Project works closely with schools, local authorities and employers to help disadvantaged and vulnerable young people build the skills, experience and confidence they need to succeed in the workplace. The organisation offers alternative provision programmes to young people between the ages of seven and 24, living in and around the Swindon and Wiltshire area. Services provided include mentoring, tutoring, enterprise skills, career development and support in completing qualifications.

The new youth workspace includes two tutoring rooms to allow for more teaching opportunities, a kitchen for teaching life skills, breakout areas, and a meeting space.

To date, similar spaces have enabled The Platform Project to support more than 359 young people, 80% of whom achieved positive outcomes, for example staying in school, moving into further education, securing a job or becoming self-employed.  

In addition, 82% of young people attending the project also experienced an improvement in their mental health and life aspirations, which is of particular note given that 59% were experiencing mental health problems, and that 71% were at risk of or had been excluded from school.

The Christmas Enterprise Fayre also included stands showcasing the business initiatives created by The Platform Project’s students as part of its ENGAGE programme. The programme provides access to vocational experiences, digital skills, project management skills and self-employment support.

The Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Fay Howard, said: “I was delighted to attend The Platform Project’s Christmas Enterprise Fayre to meet so many of our community’s young people forging a positive future for themselves. The Platform Project does fantastic work in providing them with the skills, opportunities and support they need to succeed in life – and it was evident through the range of enterprises on display.

“The new youth workspace is a welcome addition for The Platform Project, our town and the wider county. It will provide opportunities for personal development that will help many people now, and in the future, to set themselves up for the fulfilling lives they deserve.”

The Platform Project’s CEO, Sadie Sharp, said: “With this new space, we can now continue to improve the opportunities and lives of our young people, reaching more of them, more effectively, with the right mix of support.

“We are keen to welcome schools, businesses, councils and the public to our enterprise fayres throughout the year so that they can experience first-hand the difference that can be made, and to provide the opportunity for our young people to test their business ideas.

“We would like to offer our thanks to the Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Fay Howard, for helping to shine a light on The Platform Project by attending our Christmas Fayre and opening our new youth workspace.”