Fairbridge Centre - turning around lives (Southampton Liberal Democrats)

Southampton Liberal Democrats <info@southampton-libdems.org.uk>

Fairbridge Centre - turning around lives

March 26, 2010 8:00 PM
Originally published by David Goodall

David Goodall, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Itchen, was delighted to have been invited to speak to students at the Fairbridge Centre. The young people at the centre want the normal things in life that everyone wants like a job, place to live, friends and family. Yet due to difficult start they have had in life they need more confidence, self belief and a sense purpose to achieve these aims.

A number of parliamentary candidates were invited to speak to students to give their views on a variety of issues and commenting on the visit, David said:-

"The questions the students asked were wide ranging and challenging, varying greatly from what I thought about the economy, prison reform, nuclear weapons, how to give young people better chances in life and to the environmental issues."

He added:-

"It is so important for candidates to listen to their constituents. Young people are the future and I welcome opportunities to discuss their issues with them. Democracy is something we should value - the way you vote does make a difference to people's lives."

Fairbridge does excellent work in helping young people aged 13-25 that other organisations find difficult to engage. And through a mixture of courses giving them the self-confidence and skills they need to change their lives.

The young people often face multiple issues ranging from school exclusion and homelessness to anti-social behaviour, crime and substance misuse. They often lack family support and exist on the margins of society.

Fairbridge courses encourage young people by offering them a unique combination of personal support and opportunity:-

Opportunity in the form of a wide range of challenging and structured courses and projects.
Support in the form a tailor-made action plan for each young person. And this is done in a safe environment that challenges negative behaviour and recognises achievement.

Fairbridge centres are based in 15 of the most disadvantaged areas of the UK. Each year over 3,700 young people choose to engage with us. For many it is their first step back into education, training or work. And they success rate is remarkable as last year 81% of under-16 year olds engaged with Fairbridge got back into education or training.