Twenty-one-year-old Shannon Binns of Middlesbrough is determined to work in the security sector - and moved closer to her big chance after working with The Prince’s Trust and UKSE, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary.
Shannon is one of seven young people, aged between 16 and 25 from Middlesbrough, Redcar and Thornaby, taking part in the latest 12-week Prince’s Trust Team Programme. Delivered by Education Training Collective the programme provides support with job application and interview skills, a work placement, outdoor residential week and other activities all aimed at helping participants get ready for their next steps in life.
The Team chose to help the Wellington Boxing Club in Middlesbrough’s Albert Road as their planned community project. After making a Dragon’s Den-style presentation to UKSE they won £2,500 to buy the paint and equipment needed to refurbish an additional room for the younger boxers.
“The Team Programme has helped me improve some really valuable skills from teamwork to budgeting as well as boosting my confidence,” said Shannon.
“Speaking in public is a challenge for me and doing the presentation was such a helpful experience.”
Sharon Turley of UKSE said: “The Team did exceptionally well with their presentation. UKSE is a long-standing supporter of these programmes on Teesside as they help many younger people in our area into employment and training.”
Michael Debnath, Head Coach alongside John Pearce at the Wellington Boxing Club, said: “The support we have had from The Prince’s Trust Team and UKSE has been a massive help as financing a Club like this is never easy. We can’t thank them all enough.
“The room was in a poor state of repair and is part of a listed building. The Team worked so hard, did a marvellous job and we now have an extra boxing ring in use.”
The Club draws members of all ages from across Teesside including beginners and those who just want to keep fit right up to national title holders. Evie Debnath, 15, has just brought an England Boxing National Development Championship title home to Teesside.
UKSE’s Community Support Fund has now donated more than £340,000 to a wide range of community projects in Teesside, including many Prince’s Trust Team Programmes, that improve life for people living in their steel areas.
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