Durham Skill Mill achieves the Investors In Children Award

Investing in Children (IiC) works in partnership with private and public service agencies, including universities across Europe. The Investing in Children Membership Award™ gives organisations national recognition for the good practice and active inclusion of children and young people in dialogue that results in change; celebrating examples of imaginative and inclusive practice.

Young people explained to the IiC Assessor that they achieved CSCS and other qualifications that would be necessary to gain employment in a horticultural role. They felt that since starting with Skill Mill, they have gained confidence, feeling that some employers would not give them a chance due to their history. They have also developed employment skills, made friends and spoke very highly of Skill Mill:

“It has helped turn my life around”

“Stops me from dossing about.”

When asked if they felt the team should achieve membership, their reply was:

“Yes…” “If something needed changing, we would just ask, and I believe they would do everything they could to make it happen!”

This is a brilliant achievement and clearly demonstrates the positive impact that Skill Mill has upon the lives of young people with which we work.