Young people in Rochdale are being offered the opportunity to breathe new life into the town centre, as an innovative volunteering programme heads to the town.
Retail Ready People (RRP), which is run by Retail Trust and youth volunteering charity vInspired, challenges young people to turn disused spaces into pop-up shops for their communities. The scheme is designed to give young people who would like to or who are already working in retail an opportunity to build new skills in business and retail, whilst doing something unique, fun and positive at the same time.
Volunteers needn’t have any previous retail or business experience, but should be keen to learn some new things and motivated to make a positive difference to their community. They will need to to give 14 hours a week, over 14 weeks, and will receive training and support, along with opportunities to try out new roles in retail and use their creativity. The programme will welcome a range of young people with different backgrounds and motivations. Ellen, 24 from Enfield, London, took part in the programme in 2012 and would recommend the programme to other young people, “I was motivated to take part for my Son. To show him I can be a strong single mum and give him a good future”
Already, Retail Ready People volunteers are reaping the benefits of their involvement, with two volunteers already securing job interviews post-programme.
Previous shops have included a screen printing T-shirt shop in Brighton, and a gift store selling local crafts in Enfield , London
Young people who would like to apply to be part of the project, which will run from March to June 2013, should visit www.vInspired.com/retailreadypeople
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