Jobless parents urged to increase skills by working with veterans

HELSTON Community College was the venue for a pilot project aimed at getting unemployed parents to volunteer to work with military veterans.

The veterans will be teaching pupils a variety of skills including drill, field craft and personal safety, to improve teamwork, communication and ambitions.

Chris Mayer - one of the veterans heading this first project at Helston Community College. Picture by Simon Burt Photography.
The Active Plus team ready for a new sort of action at Helston Community College. : Simon Burt Photography

Jobless parents will be encouraged to work with the veterans to gain work experience, confidence and a better chance of finding work.

Through the Active Plus initiative, supported by ESF Convergence via Cornwall Works and by Jobcentre Plus, veterans with physical injuries or who have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder offer training to people, including those who are out of work or are suffering from loneliness, rural and social isolation.

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They teach skills they learnt in the field, including problem solving, first aid and interview techniques.

Active Plus has run courses with former veterans in Helston, and Tim Cocks, director, said: "We plan to have two injured veterans – Chris and Stan – delivering activities on a weekly basis to support students and provide opportunities for parents to gain employability and work experience skills by working alongside the veterans.

"Once the parent is involved, further support and training can be offered including training from the veterans, or one-to-one support from Cornwall Works for families, Careers South West and employment advisers.

"At the same time the project will support the students and the veterans."

The course will also include a visit by a former member of Britain's elite Special Forces.

Helston college assistant head teacher David McDonald said: "The veterans are fantastic role models and will be inspiring the students through a disciplined structure of teamwork and communication activities."

West Cornwall Youth Trust has provided funding to help support the students.