SPRINGBOARD UK, a charity that aims to relieve poverty and unemployment by promoting careers within the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry, is the latest organisation to be named a delivery partner by The Gallaher Trust.
Entitled Destination Hospitality – Steps to Employment for Ballymena, Springboard UK’s project aims to develop the soft skills, confidence and employability of participants and plans to support 60 adults in the local area, with 36 of these progressing into employment. The Gallaher Trust has committed a total of £83,000 to support the project over the next three years, subject to an initial one-year pilot scheme.
Explaining more about the project, Caitriona Lennox, Northern Ireland Manager at Springboard UK, said: “We work very closely with employment services in the Ballymena area to help us address the barriers that both local companies and young people are facing when it comes to securing sustainable employment.
“One issue that we identified was the increasing number of unemployed adults who are suffering with mental health problems, which ultimately leads to a lack of confidence and self-esteem, that greatly impacts their ability to find and maintain employment.”
Tailored specifically to meet the employment needs of the local population, the Destination Hospitality – Steps to Employment for Ballymena project offers a mixture of online training programmes alongside one-to-one coaching in the hopes that participants will go on to achieve qualifications and secure interviews with employers.
Caitriona continued: “Through the Destination Hospitality – Steps to Employment for Ballymena project, it’s our mission to provide all the necessary support for people to gain employment and to assist local companies to recruit from a pool of highly trained and qualified staff, thus helping to bolster hospitality businesses in turn.
“We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to The Gallaher Trust for supporting this project. Without the Trust’s assistance, it’s likely that the Destination Hospitality – Steps to Employment for Ballymena project simply wouldn’t be feasible.”
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The project, which began in April 2024, has already engaged with local agencies and recruitment is underway to attract suitable trainees onto the course. There is much excitement as this course is seen as an opening for those who need bespoke support, assisting them into roles within the hospitality, leisure or tourism sector.
“We’re delighted to partner with Springboard UK on a very worthwhile project that stands to hugely benefit the people of Ballymena and employers alike,” commented Lauren McAteer, a Trustee at The Gallaher Trust.
“The Trust believes that everyone should have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential and fulfil their career aspirations, regardless of their background or adversity – that’s why projects like the Destination Hospitality – Steps to Employment for Ballymena are so vital.
“We hope that the skills and qualifications on offer through the project, will help Ballymena’s unemployed adults to not only flourish in their careers but to grow in self-confidence.
“On behalf of the Trust, we are proud to support this pilot project that is investing in the futures of our local adults and the wider local business economy.”
Source: Written from press release
