News / Grassroot Communities
The programme creating a career pathway for young people in Bristol
“It’s not going to change the world but it will change some people’s world – and it has,” says Ben Carpenter, speaking about a unique programme he first launched in 2022.
It’s 18 months since the youth worker first spoke to Bristol24/7 about the launch of the Grassroot Activators Programme (GAP) to tackle a lack of opportunities and support young people to develop new skills and follow their passion.
Ben, who runs Grassroot Communities and spent years getting the initiative off the ground after identifying the need in his home city of Bristol, is now building on its success with the launch of Mini GAP. This will offer a free, flexible, short-term option for people between the age of 18 and 30 to build their aspirations.
is needed now More than ever
From talking to people, it became obvious to Ben and his team that there are many people out there who have plenty of talent but limited opportunities – but they couldn’t do two days a week for a year as required on the GAP programme so they needed a more flexible option.
“It really just made everything feel more achievable,” said Brandon, who enrolled on the GAP programme.
He is one of a number of young people – many from marginalised communities – who have undertaken the unique programme of skills learning, mentoring and hands-on experience that’s all designed to help participants follow their passions and embark on a career path that might not otherwise have been an option for them.
Previous participants have gone on to apply for the RAF, land an apprenticeship as a chef in a hotel, started a barbering career, run creative workshops and more. Two who completed GAP are doing youth worker apprenticeships and helping to develop the mini GAP programme.
“Everything they learn there is going to bring them together as a group, get them a better understanding of themselves and give them the tools for community development,” said Ben
“Then in the second term, they will be split into groups to go out in communities across the city and support people in a way that will benefit those communities.”
He added: “The sole purpose is to create a pathway for that young person based on their passion, interests and skills.”
Mini GAP will run for 12 weeks on Mondays from early January. Find out more and apply via www.grassrootcommunities.org/.
Main photo: Ben Carpenter
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