The Albion Foundation’s HATCH Project in partnership with UK Youth and KFC is an excellent way for young adults to break into the world of employment.
The scheme aims to empower young people, by giving them training, one-to-one support, and paid employment placements before a guaranteed interview at the end of each process.
HATCH doesn’t just give candidates a job, it offers personal and professional development that they can hold within them for the rest of their lives, as 18-year-old Tyler found when he joined the programme following a tough period of his life.
“Tyler struggled over the last four years.” His Mother Carrie explains. “He got severely bullied at school which ended in him having a gang pull a knife on him.
“COVID then hit, so obviously he was off school. When the time came and he was due to go back to school the issues continued and he never finished school.
“He went within himself, very depressed and very reclusive, terrible social anxiety and not in a good place. Tyler reached 18, I’ve sat and watched him for four years and I didn’t know what to do with him.”
“I felt very nervous,” Tyler added. “I was secluded, I felt like there was nothing I could really do and there were no opportunities for me.”
As Carrie struggled to get her son to live life to his potential, she took matters into her own hands and felt that Tyler needed a purpose.
“I got in touch with Connections and spoke with a lovely lady called Debbie,” Carrie said. “She got us in touch with The Albion Foundation which is where I met Tom.
“Although Tyler went in a little late, around halfway into the project. I didn’t think he’d go and I didn’t think he’d get out of bed.
“Just for that little period, he’s come on leaps and bounds. We’ve seen a huge difference in him.”
As Tom Lane, HATCH Project Coordinator, settled in his latest batch of recruits into their respective placements, he saw an immediate difference in Tyler.
“With Tyler just his communication, we really saw that improve over the course of the project,” Tom started. “His confidence within the sessions and also the feedback that we received from KFC was fantastic.
“Just hearing about his journey and how far he’d come since the start to where he is now is amazing. I’m really proud of what he’s achieved.”
Tyler walked through the door at KFC with a paid placement and has since progressed to gaining a part-time paid contract along with becoming a confident, sociable young person.
“Tyler’s been a great example of a HATCH candidate and what they can achieve,” Tom said. “Tyler’s overcome issues around confidence and really grown over the four weeks that he’s been with us and KFC.
“We’ve seen a massive improvement and I’m sure staff at KFC have seen that too. We’re delighted for him.”
Carrie is amazed at the transformation of her son due to the project and remains elated, if not surprised at the way her son has developed throughout the process.
“I didn’t expect Tyler to be sitting here in KFC,” she said. “I didn’t think he’d mix with people but he’s really turned a corner.
“He’s coming out of his room more often. He’s also spending a lot more time with his family, he feels like he belongs somewhere now.”
As for Tyler, he now feels a sense of purpose, a reason to live, and a reason to enjoy his time at home and work.
“I just wanted my confidence back and my ability to leave the house without feeling anxious about silly things,” Tyler said. “I think Tom’s really helped me achieve that.
“With my anxiety, I don’t feel anxious at all. I’m happy to come to work, and I’m never anxious to talk to anyone or meet new people.
“It just feels great to feel like I belong somewhere.”
Are you a young person who wants support in finding employment? To find out more about future cohorts of the Hatch Employability Programme, please contact tom.lane@albionfoundation.co.uk for more details.