As part of a fact finding mission, HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was welcomed on a tour of CSV’s training centre in Redditch on Monday 19th September 2011.

The training facility in Redditch is part of the UK volunteering and training charity CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and has been helping local people overcome barriers to employment since it started serving the area in 2000.

CSV’s Redditch operation, which is one of four CSV centres in the West Midlands, typically helps 16 to 19 year olds who are Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) and older adults who are also looking to progress their lives and move into training or employment.  The latest employment statistics show that the West Midlands has seen the highest increase in the rate of unemployment in the UK compared to the previous quarter and that it has the second lowest rate of employment overall (68%) after the North East. Up to 12.1% of young people aged 18-24 have been unemployed for up to a year in some parts of Redditch.

Sue Williams, CSV Centre Manager says: “We work with people who have faced many different challenges in their lives. Some are living with disabilities while others are making the transition from living in care to living independently. Many of the older adults who attend have been long-term unemployed and may have developed low self-esteem and confidence or stopped believing in themselves. It’s our mission to show that everyone has something positive to contribute to society and have skills that can be developed for fulfilling and interesting lives.”

Princess Anne was welcomed by centre staff as well as senior figures from Worcestershire county, including Councillor Anita Clayton, Mayor of Redditch and Councillor Ed Moore, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council. CSV’s Chief Executive Lucy de Groot and the Chair of the charity, Sir Jon Shortridge was also present at the start of the tour.

Speaking about the visit, Sir Jon Shortridge, Chairman of CSV said: “We are very honoured that The Princess Royal is taking such an interest in CSV’s mission to empower everyone to play an active and meaningful role in their communities. Everyone should have an opportunity to be supported to gain access to employment or training and be able to develop their skills whatever the personal challenges they have faced. These are difficult times for many people and we are delighted that Her Royal Highness is visiting our project and meeting learners and staff as part of her visit to Redditch.”

The Princess Royal went on a tour of CSV Redditch to see the new kitchen and community café to help train 16-19 year olds with catering skills. The tour also included the centre’s Craft & Design and IT Departments where skills are learnt on-site.  The centre also offers horticulture on site and at nearby allotments.

As well as providing assistance with interviews and CV writing skills, CSV also provides an IT suite for adult learners signed up to the BBC Click campaign to encourage people to go online or attending community learning programmes run in association with Worcestershire County Council. The centre is also preparing to offer a new qualification for people considering a career in the uniformed services such as the police, fire and ambulance.
 
Carol Hodgetts (56), from Studley, has a visual impairment and has been volunteering at CSV Redditch for 7 years. She says she looked forward to meeting The Princess Royal: “I enjoy attending the centre. It gives me focus and makes me want to get up in the morning.  I’ve learnt new skills in Information Technology which I use in my volunteer role at CSV and also on my personal computer at home. The impact on my life has been keeping up to date with office practice, it has also been a source of comfort in troubled times and it has given me the confidence to mix with different people and have a new outlook on life.  The staff also help me with job search whilst I look for employment opportunities”.

Luanna Johnson (17) from Redditch, pictured above with HRH Princess Anne, started at CSV Redditch in October 2010 and completed in August 2011, achieving qualifications in Creative Crafts, Maths, English and many more.  Luanna as how progressed to do an Art & Design course at college.  She says, “I enjoyed my time at CSV and especially in the Craft room where we made jewellery and painted glass.  This was a wonderful time to make new friends and gain qualifications. I now have much more confidence and even did a live radio interview in August which I couldn’t have done before. At the end of the course we made cakes for CSV’s open day which we did as a team. I had a really good time!”

For more information, please contact: Jason Tanner or Francesca Toma on 020 7812 0038/ 37 or 07941 433598

Notes for editors

CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Last year 165,666 people gave their time as volunteers through CSV. The charity trained 13,423 people of all ages. www.csv.org.uk

Employment rates quoted for the period of April – June 2011 (published August 17th 2011):Source: ONS – Regional Labour Market http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_228722.pdf