Talent Match Middlesbrough, a project funded by The Big Lottery Fund, has been celebrating its successes at the point of its two-year anniversary, with two successful Award ceremonies.
The project, dedicated to supporting long-term unemployed local young people into work or training, recently attended the South Tees VCS Awards held at Teesside University on Thursday 25th February 2016. These Awards recognised the remarkable work and perseverance of local organisations that provide Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland with a backbone of vital voluntary and community action.
The Talent Match Middlesbrough project led by The Prince’s Trust were delighted to win two awards – the ‘Working Together Award’ and the ‘Effective Campaign Award’ for the Young People’s Panel. The project was also shortlisted for the ‘Stronger Communities Award’ and the Young People’s Panel was shortlisted for the ‘Young Influencers and Getting Noticed Award’.
Anne-Marie Mcnaughton – Talent Match Manager for Middlesbrough commented, “This is fantastic recognition for all those organisations that work together to help make Talent Match Middlesbrough so successful. It’s hard to believe that the project only started two years ago. Everyone’s contribution is valued and helps make a difference.” She added “I am especially delighted for the Young People’s Panel to win as the young people give up their time to lead and co-ordinate the most important aspects of the project to help make a difference for other local young people.”
Natalie Walker, a member of the Young People’s Panel commented, “Wow, this is amazing! We never expected this. This just inspires us to want to do more and help more young people.”
Talent Match Middlesbrough has also been celebrating success internally, hosting their own ‘Leaping with Success’ Awards at Teesside University Students’ Union, The Hub on Monday 29th February 2016. Themed around the Leap Day and organised by the young people on the programme, the project used this as an extra day to make a difference and recognised outstanding achievement from the young people, the Young People’s Panel members, plus employers and delivery partners who have been involved with the project to date. The evening was hosted by stand-up comedian, Patrick Monahan who injected humour and warmth into the Awards.