Applications are once again open for the Hull FC Community Foundation’s ‘This Ability’ programme, helping young people with learning disabilities gain valuable work experience.
‘This-Ability’ is a £3.7 million is a four-year National Lottery Community Fund programme aimed at finding 500 young people a disability, learning disability/difficulty or a long term health/mental health condition sustainable employment.
The project, in partnership with the Humber Learning Consortium, provides specialist support and training for 18-29 year olds in Hull and the East Riding who find themselves unemployed and economically inactive.
This will give young people the opportunities to explore and experience specific occupational sectors, with job opportunities, within the Hull and East Riding area.
Participants complete ‘on the job’ work experience placements with Retail, Community and Media departments, while completing a NCFE Level 1 Employability Qualification.
Shane Stoneley who is part of the club’s LDRL has benefitted first-hand for the programme, having undertaken work placements within the club over the past six months.
Shane has been working with the club’s Community Foundation in local schools, as well as helping run the LDRL team with the long-term goal of becoming a teaching assistant for children with special needs.
Shane said: “When I was speaking with the Foundation team, they could clearly see from the start that my passion was working with children. So they put me in a position where I could develop my skills in that specific area in primary schools.
“I’m really determined to make sure that when you’re starting an activity, that all the children can be involved. If for some reason they can’t be involved, we find a way around that and make them feel included.
“Going into the schools with the coaches has helped me realise that all the children are different. Working with those that suffer with difficulties and making school a better place for them is really rewarding for me.
“Ultimately this project is going to help me achieve my long-term goals of becoming a teaching assistant for children with learning difficulties.
“Knowing that people at the schools had been asking about me really lit up my word and made me realise that I do have a purpose in life, whereas before I felt like I didn’t have one.”
Applications for the This Ability programme are now open. To apply, email mike.swainger@hullfc.com
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