Leighton’s unique teenage advice and information centre is welcoming a new scheme to the centre to help young people who are out of work.
Almost 2,000 young people aged between 12 and 21 years old passed through TACTIC’s doors in March and April of this year. And now, in its tenth year in the town, TACTIC is offering young people more than ever. Running from the Hockliffe Street centre, Y.E.S, an education and training provider, will offer a ten-week course for up to 10 young people who are not in education, employment or training.
The Industry Challenge is a scheme, which gives youngsters an opportunity to gain experience in the work place.
Leighton-Linslade Mayor, Councillor Amanda Dodwell, said: “Things are quite tough for young people at the moment so anything that the town council can do to help.
“Even though youth unemployment is relatively low in this area, we want to give them the opportunity to see what their options are.
“It is about giving them something to get out of bed for because when you are unemployed you don’t have a set routine, so somewhere like TACTIC gives them somewhere to get up and go to.”
The number of young people accessing the centre during March and April was 1,912, with 715 people under 16 and 1,197 over 16. The top four issues discussed by young people being family, relationships, school and sexual health.
The centre has recently introduced new workshops on a Wednesday since mid-April, which have included anti-bullying, looking at what it means to be English to celebrate St George’s Day and healthy eating and no smoking awareness days.