Key Information
Fund
ESF
Case studies
New perspectives for Tommy and Miranda with the help of Game Changer
Tommy was unemployed and had no ambition to get a job when he was introduced to the EU funded Game Changer project. Now the 21 year old from Newquay has successfully completed work experience placements at a number of local companies and is hoping to be offered a job at one of Cornwall’s most prestigious hotels.
Funded by the European Social Fund as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Programme and the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, Game Changer supports 15 to 24-year-olds to develop the skills they need to get into work, education or training.
Led by the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), the programme works with a range of partners, including Software Cornwall, Cornwall College, Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Food Foundation, Creative Kernow, Eden Project, White Gold Cornwall, Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change and local businesses to provide young people with opportunities to achieve a brighter future for themselves. Young people receive personalised support from a Game Changer Navigator who helps them create a plan for overcoming any issues or barriers, arranges taster days, placements, training courses and work experience and then works with them to find a job or training.
Before working with Game Changer, Tommy was spending his time gaming and whilst he enjoyed this in the beginning, as the years passed he watched his friends go on to get qualifications, jobs and new experiences. Without an English GCSE and lacking confidence and experience in the work place, he wanted to catch up with his friends and have a better life.
Tommy is very clear that his life began to improve when he met his Game Changer Navigator Emma. “Before I started working with Game Changer I was unemployed and had no ambition to get a job, I was just living off the dole as my family always had done. In a short period of time, working with Emma has opened up so many opportunities for me and has given me the experiences, support and motivation to improve my life.”
The activities, connections and support that Game Changer and Emma offered Tommy opened doors for him – and opened his mind to what he could do. After work placements with Software Cornwall and the Eden Project, Tommy is now working with a Game Changer Functional Skills Consultant to get the English qualifications that he missed at school and is hoping to secure a job at the Headlands Hotel. He said, “Thanks to Game Changer, I do have a next step.”
“It’s been a real privilege to work with Tommy while he explores the right next step for him in terms of work or study,” said Emma. “Tommy and I have laughed about him being a ‘dark horse’ and he certainly is a man of many, once hidden, talents, and bit by bit we’re seeing them all!”
24-year-old Miranda has also seen her life changed for the better since joining Game Changer. Growing up, Miranda was diagnosed with ADHD, which hindered her school experience. “I enjoyed the social aspect of school but from early on I was labelled as the kid who wouldn’t make it and at times was quite heavily bullied.”
Whilst working as a PA for a disabled child, she was diagnosed with chronic migraines, causing Miranda to lose confidence and end up back on Jobseeker’s Allowance.
After being introduced to her Game Changer Navigator Emma, Miranda has been working on building her confidence and balancing some challenging family issues, while focusing on improving herself and achieving her goals. She has worked with Emma to explore filming opportunities at the Eden Project, has met with a digital consultant in Plymouth and has been developing her video editing skills. She is now exploring opportunities in digital media and marketing, and has started to attend interviews.
She is very grateful for the support she has received from Game Changer. She said,
“Emma is excellent. She’s a great motivator and easy to talk to; she has supported me through these challenges and encouraged me to explore ways of dealing with issues that may come up along the way. I’m now in a better position to deal with future issues.”
Kate Reed, Head of Employability and Pathways at RIO, said “Investment from the Growth Programme through the National Community Lottery Fund and European Social Fund is having an incredibly positive impact on young people in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area.
“Many young people are uncovering their skills, passions and talents and are applying them growing an exciting Cornish workforce for the future. At times of increasing challenges for young people and businesses the Game Changer programme is able to provide much needed support working in a collaborative way with fantastic organisations and businesses to enable young people to find their career pathways.
“We’re excited about continuing the Game Changer programme to 2022, continuing to work in schools with young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education and training) and with those who aren’t currently in education, employment or training.”