Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the significant £575,684 grant awarded to the three year Face2Face project, run by The Springboard Charity, based at West Highland College, An Aird, Fort William.

The project will benefit 240 young people aged 16 to 24 from the Highlands who have experienced care and are experiencing multiple barriers to employment, including offending behaviour and high-risk of re-offending, alcohol or substance misuse, lack of appropriate housing, chaotic lifestyles and negative routines, and history of non-attendance at school.

Dave said: “This is a huge award and a ringing endorsement of the work of The Springboard Charity, and will have a significant impact on the lives of the 240 young people that the project will benefit.

Funded through the Life Transitions investment area and delivered in partnership with Barnardo's Works, the project will provide one year's individual and group support to provide independent living skills, employability interventions and job opportunities to these young people.

Dave added: “The Springboard Charity have developed an excellent project and I am delighted that funding has been secured to ensure it remains in place for three years.

“Young people who have experienced care can be among the most vulnerable in our society, and it is fantastic to know that this project will be in place to drastically improve their prospects in the Highlands.

“I congratulate Mrs Jennifer Cameron of the Springboard Charity on securing this grant, and wish the project every success.”