CatZero Youth Charity Sails Into New Waters

CatZero Youth Charity Sails Into New Waters

A locally based charity for young unemployed people is branching out into the East Riding.

CatZero has traditionally been centred on Hull but is now running programmes from Beverley after a local company offered to sponsor jobless youngsters in the area.

The youth development charity helps young people from challenging backgrounds into , education and training and gives them the chance to sail a 72ft, round-the-world yacht.

The charity is currently looking to recruit up to 14 young people between the ages of 19 and 28 years old from the East Riding for its latest programme, which starts in October.

CatZero programme manager Pete Tighe said they were looking for young unemployed people who wanted to “change their lives.”

He said:

“This is another significant step for our work in the Humber corridor. We already have programmes running in Grimsby and North Lincolnshire but we are now branching out further north.”

“CatZero is a unique programme where every day is different. It’s helps with life skills as well as qualifications and gives young people the opportunity to sail a 72ft Challenge yacht.”

“There is nothing quite like this anywhere else in the country. It’s proven to deliver fantastic outcomes and help people turn their lives around.”

Mr Tighe said one of the major barriers facing unemployed people in the East Riding is their geographical and social isolation. He added:

“One young man had to walk seven miles so he could catch a train to get to our pick up point in Beverley. He was getting up at 5am to get there for 10am because there were no buses to his village.”

The East Riding programmes are being sponsored by Beverley-based TIR Training and its sister organisation Deflog VQ Trust.

As well as sponsoring up to six programmes over two years, the company is allowing CatZero to use its conference centre facilities to deliver elements of the programme.

Paul Downey, Chief Executive of TIR Training and Deflog VQ Trust, said:

“CatZero offers a unique way of engaging with young people who might have been let down by the system.”

“It’s not just about education – it’s about helping them with all the issues they face. Speaking to people who have gone through the programme, they are all very positive about the impact it has had on their lives. They have become a lot more confident and ready for work.”

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart helped to secure TIR Training’s sponsorship when he brought the problem of youth homelessness and unemployment in his constituency to its attention saying,

“Even in a prosperous town like Beverley there are lots of young people who are homeless, unemployed, with few or no qualifications and little hope.”

“It’s easy for them to become invisible but programmes like this offer a real opportunity to identify strengths and give them the confidence and support to get into employment.”

Mr Stuart added:

“This is a course like no other – the whole experience is geared towards preparation for a challenging sailing voyage, which is exciting, stretching and life enhancing.”

CatZero was set up five years ago after 10 young people from Hull helped to crew the Hull and Humber yacht in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Since then, the charity has worked with more than 800 people, saving the taxpayer an estimated £14 million.

Participants complete a 12-week programme of activities designed to develop their job skills and self-esteem. The highlight of the programme is the chance to crew a yacht to the Orkney Isles.

Luke Watson, 23, from Hornsea, completed the programme earlier this year and is now studying maths, English and ICT before completing a vocational qualification in the logistics sector, he said:

“I was a bit sceptical at first because I was not sure what to expect. But after the first couple of days I knew I was going to love it and I was right.

“I really enjoyed the rock climbing because I’d never done that before. We went to visit businesses, canoeing and got six qualifications, one of which was sea survival.”

“It’s certainly boosted my confidence. I learned how to cook and I’m now doing a lot more exercise. It helped me in many ways I never thought it would.”

CatZero is holding a presentation day for its next programme at 2pm on October 7th at TIR Training in Beverley. To book a place at the event call CatZero on 01482 333303 or contact Beverley Job Centre.



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