What we do
Training for Life is a youth project based in the Upper Springfield area of West Belfast. We are one of many community based projects founded and managed by the Upper Springfield Development Co.Ltd (USDCL). The focus of our work is to design and deliver innovative personal development programmes to young people in the Upper Springfield area and beyond.
These programmes are provided to youth aged 11-18, where the youth themselves are given responsibility to create the programme content, based on identified need. We feel that by giving ownership to a voluntary programme, young people are more inclined to engage fully and feel valued in terms of their input.
Such programmes are delivered through group work, where experienced staff provide opportunities for local youth to discuss issues that they feel are important to them. We also value the importance of adventure learning and would use a range of physical, social and diversionary activities as part of all programmes. Lasting approximately 16 weeks, the programmes allow staff to build trusting relationships with the young people in an attempt to develop self confidence, communication skills, and often act as a springboard for other opportunities to access new projects for further personal development.
Training for Life receives its funding from the Department for Social Development (DSD), through the Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO), where we participate in delivering the priorities identified by the local Upper Springfield Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership. We also have a service level agreement with the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (BHSCT), where we are responsible for providing a range of programmes for young people in the residential care setting, foster care, and receive referrals from the social work teams with responsibility for looked after children, (LAC), based in Cupar St. and Durham St.
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