Businesses and organisations in Helensburgh and Lomond are being urged to link up with a youth employment project which aims to support young people facing barriers to work.

Employment charity Street League has taken on 12 youngsters from the area who are being put through a 10-week programme to build on their confidence, motivation, and employability skills.

This is the first time the project has run in Helensburgh, with successful programmes having previously taken place in West Dunbartonshire and elsewhere across the UK.

The programme aims to prepare the participants for work, using sport as a means of improving their physical and mental wellbeing along the way.

Brian Cameron, Street League progressions coordinator, said: “We’ve got a group of 12 young people on the programme.

“They may have personal issues or maybe haven’t done well at school for one reason or another.

“They’ve not had the best chance in life or they just need a wee bit of help with their employability skills.

“The programme is all about firstly improving their confidence, getting them into a good routine, and focusing on their wellbeing.

“As the programme progresses, we develop their employability skills. We work on their CV and their interview skills, and we teach them how to apply for jobs. It’s all about getting them work ready.

“Once they’re work ready, we look at what they want to do and we’ll make an action plan that suits them.

The charity looks to make links with local employers and colleges who are prepared to give young people a chance at the end of their Street League journey.

Brain says this is vital, particularly in a crowded and competitive post-pandemic job market.

He added: “The difference in the young people is huge. We’ve run programmes in Clydebank, Alexandria, and Dumbarton and the Vale already.

“There’s so many people that just haven’t had a chance, and it’s mostly people that school wasn’t a good fit for.

“Obviously school isn’t for everyone – this is a more tailored approach. Our one-to-one and group support really helps them because they’ve never had that, so we see a huge benefit.

“All they need is a chance. A lot of people look at them and think, ‘they can’t be trusted’.

“But nine out of ten times when they’re given that chance, they can be developed into great workers.

“For the employers who come on board, we hope that they understand the needs of the young people and hopefully be flexible with them to give them that chance.”

Employers who are interested in taking part are asked to contact Brian at brian.cameron@streetleague.co.uk.