Rathbone’s youth engagement work in Belfast received a vote of confidence from the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Although only established in January 2009, the Lifetracks programme – which equips 15-25-year-olds to make informed choices about their work, study and training - has already helped over 300 young people. Little wonder then, that politicians from all sides of Stormont were impressed – in a flash!

David Melia (Youth Engagement Manager, Rathbone), Paul Fletcher and Colm Fanning outside the Stormont building.

“The committee we found ourselves in front of, admitted that Northern Ireland had a big problem with youth unemployment – and were keen to know what we were doing about it” said Colm Fanning, Youth Engagement Team Leader for Lifetracks in Belfast. “They praised the preparation work we did before setting the project up and were interested in the partnerships we are forming with statutory organisations.”

So satisfied were the MLA’s (Members of the Legislative Assembly) with Lifetracks that they promised to make tracks – and write to the country’s First Minister Peter Robinson to tell him all about it!

Paul Fletcher, Rathbone Director for Youth Engagement added: “It was a real coup for Rathbone to be able to present at Stormont, especially as a new organisation to Northern Ireland.”

Based on Donegall Street in Belfast, Lifetracks helps young people in East, West and Central Belfast. The Vodafone Foundation backed programme also operates in Bristol, Edinburgh, London, Liverpool and the Welsh Valleys. Rathbone delivers this project in partnership with Foyer Federation, Skill and YouthNet.

You can learn more about Lifetracks by visiting http://www.lifetracks.com/?gclid=CMSd69CluZsCFU0B4wod6RmPDA