executive member for children’s services Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, deputy executive member for economic development and finance Cllr Stuart Munro, John Redwood MP and Wokingham Borough Council’s director of children’s services Judith Ramsden at the launch of Wokingham Borough Council
A new one-stop centre for young people seeking advice and guidance was opened in Wokingham last week.
Wokingham Borough Council has teamed up Adviza, Optalis, Wokingham Job Support and National Careers Service to set up the Elevate Wokingham hub in the town’s library.
It was opened by John Redwood MP, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor and director of children’s services Judith Ramsden.
The scheme has received three years’ worth of funding thanks to a £600,000 grant from the Government and the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership and intends to reduce the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training (particularly those who have been so for a long time), disadvantaged and vulnerable young people and those who are underemployed.
Deputy executive member for economic development and finance Cllr Stuart Munro said: “I am proud to offer the young people of Wokingham Borough a modern and vibrant space where they can go and get help to find work or training. Elevate Wokingham provides young people with a one-stop-shop where they can get the individual support they need to go in whatever direction best suits them. Our partners are on hand at the hub to speak with any young person who would like some careers advice.”
Executive member for children’s services Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor said: “I am pleased that our young people who are not in employment, education or training now have a welcoming place to come and get information and guidance. In addition to this, the outreach work that will be done as part of Elevate Wokingham will ensure that this support is available to all our young people, wherever they live.
Guests from across Berkshire were invited to take a look around Elevate Wokingham last week; situated on the ground floor of Wokingham Library. John Redwood MP; executive member for children’s services Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor; and the director of children’s services Judith Ramsden also made speeches to celebrate the opening.
The new Elevate Wokingham hub is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10am and 5pm, and Wednesday from 10am until 1pm. The hub has three confidential interview rooms, a break-out area, and ten computers that are free to use.
To see the photos of how the space has changed into Elevate Wokingham, and for more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ElevateWokingham.
