Blues team up with Mayor to help young people

Everton in the Community is launching a new programme in conjunction with the Mayor of Liverpool to improve the employability of young people across the region.

The Blues’ official charity has secured funding from Liverpool City Council to deliver a scheme which offers young people aged 16-24, who are unemployed and out of education or training (NEET), the opportunity to gain vital work experience to improve their job prospects.

The programme known as ‘Young Ambassadors’ will give local young people the chance to work with Everton in the Community on a matchday and at other events, and also attend weekly workshops to improve their CVs and chances of securing full-time employment.

Joe Anderson said: “Everton Football Club do so much for the community they are part of, and this partnership between the City Council and Everton will give the work they do a real boost. We want to help move young people into work, giving them the skills and confidence they need to get on in life. That’s what this scheme is all about. I’m proud to be a Blue, and I know this is a scheme that will do Blues all over the city proud.”

Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community, recently met with Mayor Anderson to sign the agreement, which will also see young people earn a remunerated salary for the events they attend.

She added: “Improving the employability of young people across Liverpool is extremely important to Everton in the Community. This scheme will allow those furthest removed from the jobs market the chance to gain experience, confidence, qualifications and remuneration, which will help them secure employment in the future.

“Everton in the Community is committed to supporting local people and helping them improve their life chances, be that through the provision of education and training, volunteering or health intervention. We are delighted to be working even more closely with the Mayor and Liverpool City Council to improve the prospects of our young people and ultimately the employment market in the region.”

The Young Ambassadors, or ‘Game Makers’ as they will be affectionately known in and around Goodison Park, will take on a role similar to the volunteers at London 2012, and offer advice and assistance to home and away supporters visiting the ground on a matchday.

The Ambassadors will be easily identifiable wearing special florescent bibs and be situated in a variety of locations, including Liverpool city centre, Lime Street Station, bus stations, Stanley Park and County Road.

To find out more information about the Young Ambassadors scheme and Everton in the Community, visit evertonfc.com/community.

Liverpool Waterfront