Police And College Celebrate Prince’s Trust Success
Senior figures from Wolverhampton, including a Superintendent from West Midlands Police and the Vice Principal of City of Wolverhampton College, paid tribute to a team of young people at a special Prince’s Trust awards ceremony.
Seven young adults from across the city were praised for their “hard work and commitment”, after they became the 114th group to complete The Prince’s Trust Team programme, which is delivered through City of Wolverhampton College in partnership with West Midlands Police.
The ceremony, held at Bantock House, included speeches from Prince’s Trust Team Programme Executive, Sue Wickett, Vice Principal of Wolverhampton College, Paul Polowyj and Superintendent Jan Thomas-West from Wolverhampton Police.
Tributes were paid to West Midlands Police Officers, Detective Constable Paul Rose and PCSO Julie Wright, who delivered the course from the force’s base in Whitmore Reans.
During the 12-week course, the team organised car washes and took part in a nine-mile sponsored canal walk to raise money for their community project, which involved transforming a neglected area of land at the Coppice in Finchfield into a scenic rest area for local residents. The project received support from Community Payback.
They also carried out charity work, including serving up meals to the homeless at a soup kitchen in Wolverhampton.
As part of the presentation, the young people spoke about the circumstances that had led to them joining the programme, and how being part of the Team programme had changed their outlook on life.
Twenty-year-old Leanne Wills even secured a job through the programme after impressing bosses during her two-week work placement at Wednesfield Leisure Centre.
Detective Constable Paul Rose, leader of Team 114, said: “This group of seven individuals or ‘the magnificent seven’ as we call them, have bonded fantastically over the past 12-weeks and have worked really well together as a team. They have been a pleasure to work with.”
Sue Wickett, Prince’s Trust Team Programme Executive, paid tribute to the “3-way partnership” between The Prince’s Trust, City of Wolverhampton College and West Midlands Police and said: “The programme lasts 12-weeks and it really does change lives. This group of young people have shown what can be achieved and they should be very proud of what they have accomplished.”
The Prince’s Trust Team programme is open to any young person aged 16-25 who is not in employment or education. For more information on the Prince’s Trust, visit www.princes-trust.org.uk or call City of Wolverhampton College Prince’s Trust office on 01902 821906. Alternatively, contact DC Paul Rose on 07977209119.