A tough start in life having a mum obsessed with drink and medicines in addition to a struggle to survive after being kicked due to home at 15 was the motivation behind the roll-out of a unique youth training site in Ramsgate.
Liberty Training, based at Paragon House in Albert Street, offers training and qualifications aimed toward getting the younger generation into work or further education.
Yesterday (Friday 8) the organisation celebrated its fifth anniversary, a tremendous achievement for a seed connected with an undeniable fact that started on the home of couple Michelle Smith and Jojo Rassekh.
Speaking at yesterday’s celebration Michelle revealed just how the pair had quit their jobs having a think of helping adolescents achieve their potential.
Michelle said: “The reason I started to do business with adolescents then build this company is usually that I had somewhat of a tough come from life. My mum had four kids and she or he had difficulties with drink and drugs, At 15 mum kicked me out so I was sofa surfing along with no money. Clearly there was no-one there to help me.
“As I grew older earning a wage has not been enough. I desired employment that is going to really make a difference to young people’s lives.”
Going it alone
Michelle was earning a living for CXK running ‘Back on Track’ programmes but felt managers were making decisions without chatting with the young people they were aiming to help. Thus came the decision to do it yourself.
There were folks that said it will not work, long events of working from morning until midnight and low points when Michelle and former firefighter and care worker JoJo needed to sell your vehicle to fork out the invoices.
But the result is a huge training venue, now officially recognised to be a contracted provider by Kent County Council, containing helped a huge selection of teenagers to develop confidence, skills to get within the workplace.
Michelle said: “If we had followed those who said hello would not work we wouldn’t have helped the countless young adults who have come through our doors.
“It continues to be incomes of stressful days and problems sleeping but will also happy smiles and inspired younger people. I would not change that for the world.”
Liberty Training offers three courses and the younger generation are adopted on an academic year while using the chance to require a second year.
Many youngsters found mainstream education difficult and respond more positively to the more relaxed ethos of Liberty.
The organisation features a Youth Participation Group to provide the youngsters a voice in that they learn, many different saying they’ve gained confidence in the scheme.
The classes are Motivate, with 6 weeks of confidence building, team leadership and also the opportunity to achieve qualifications in areas including firstaid, safe practices and customer services.
The 12 week Empower course develops this with further qualifications and confidence building additionally, the Liberate course, also 3 months, considers employability and leadership.
During the celebration event there are talks from Liberty employee Ian Wyles and South Thanet Labour parliamentary hopeful Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt, presentations from adolescents to the courses and staff certificates awarded, including for that chattiest and the biggest cake eater!
Future plans
And the pair reveal they prefer to expand. Jojo said: “We are in work when using the local MP and Thanet Community Forest School to start a construction centre in Margate. Can be our young adults are able to perform site up as section of their course. We are also investigating horticultural talk with the forest school.”
Find out more details on Liberty Training here and on their facebook page here
