Now Joe is sharing his experience on the course with Catterick Team’s newest recruits.
Taking centre stage to share his experiences of The Prince’s Trust Team programme is something Joe never dreamt he would do.
But with a renewed confidence and a desire to help others, that is exactly what he has been doing, offering words of support to those who have just joined the 12-week personal development programme.
Looking back to when he started the course himself earlier this year, he said: “It does feel a bit daunting because you don’t know anyone or the instructor, but that is the same whatever you do.”
But it didn’t take him long to find his feet and now Joe is happy to encourage others to give it a go.
Available to those aged 16 to 25, who are not currently in education or employment, The Prince’s Trust Team programme offers the chance to work as a team and develop new skills through a series of tasks and challenges.
The course, which is delivered in Catterick at the youth and community centre at Risedale Sports and Community College, also includes an adventure residential and the chance to undertake work experience. There’s even the opportunity to pick up a qualification.
“It sounded quite fun when I first heard about it, so I thought I would give it a go,” said Joe.
He explained it was on the residential that the group all really started to get to know each other, faced with a series of activities from paddleboarding to canoeing.
Taking part in work experience at Oxfam and Foxglove Covert nature reserve and carrying out community projects at Brambles Wood and The Wensleydale School, meant Joe got to give back to his own community.
He said: “My communication skills are improved and while I generally prefer to work on my own it certainly helped my teamwork skills.”
Now studying science at college, with the hope of going into laboratory work, he added: “I think everyone there had a boost of confidence.
“If you have the time, I think everyone should try this course. It’s well worth getting through those nerves.”
The Prince’s Trust Catterick Team is delivered by the Education Training Collective. The group also offers Team programmes in Stockton, Middlesbrough/Redcar, Darlington and Bishop Auckland. To find out more visit: www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust
