YOUNG people from Bolton have improved their wellbeing and job prospects after completing a right royal personal development course.

They graduated from a three-month Prince's Trust Team Programme run at Bolton Fire Station by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

The course is not just for young people who are interested in the emergency services and is designed to boost their confidence, improve their teamwork and resourcefulness, and provide a taste of responsibility through projects and work experience.

Ann Morris, team manager, said: "We are extremely proud of them because it's so easy to give up.

"They don't have to stay here – it's by choice – and it's a great achievement.

"I don't think sometimes they realise how much they have done and their impact on the community in terms of the project they do."

There are three intakes a year and candidates are either referred by local services such as the job centre or can apply directly.

Ms Morris said: "It's a 12-week full-time course and it's for young people who are not in education, training or work and they have to be between 16 and 25.

"It's a worthwhile course if you feel you're stuck in a rut and it doesn't discriminate.

"We take young people who don't fit into lots of other boxes.

"We have people who have been in trouble with the police, who are living in a hostel or living rough, people with disabilities."

The dozen students on the course are considered and named as a 'team' in order to get them interacting and working together from the beginning, when they come up with personal targets they would like to reach over the duration of the course.

They learn manual handling, food hygiene and health and safety techniques and take part in a first-aid at work course as well being taught adult literacy and numeracy.

In weeks three to five of the programme they undertake one or a number of community projects that they have chosen from charities and other organisations that put their names forward as needing a helping hand in some way.

Ms Morris said: "The last team washed down and repainted the inside of Bolton Toy Library in Deane and they also cleared the brambles and weeds from the around the public car park of St Ann's Hospice in Little Hulton.

"They have to raise the money for anything they need to complete the work by packing bags at a local supermarket.

"It's about them working together as a group and improving their planning, decision-making and budgeting capabilities, and giving them skills that are transferable that they can then use in their own lives when they have finished with us."

The students take part in work experience placement and attend a residential weekend course where they cook their own meals and clean up to help them become more self-sufficient and independent.

They are given advice and help in the ninth week to consider and apply for what they want to do once they finish the Prince's Trust course by creating an action plan, crafting a fresh CV and taking part in mock interviews – thanks to the input of staff at The University of Bolton.

A second, person-centred project is tackled in weeks 10 and 11 for which the latest cohort arranged three days of activities for residents at a care home in Astley Bridge.

When the students finish they attend a presentation evening where they each explaining their background and their progress and to celebrate theirs success with family, staff and coursemates who Ms Morris said often end up as firm friends.

Ms Morris said: "The main thing is they gain confidence.

"We get young people coming in who can't even look you in the eye at the beginning and 12 weeks later they are making a speech in a room full of people.

"Quite a lot of them come with very few formal qualifications and they gain qualities and experience and overcoming their own issues.

"It's about getting them back on track and feeling positive about themselves."

n For more information visit manchesterfire.gov.uk/community/youth-engagement/the-princes-trust/