Kelsea and Merlin

After leaving college in 2022, Kelsea tried to find work in her local area, but she struggled because there were not many opportunities. The job market in Cornwall is competitive, and this began to affect her confidence. She spent her time volunteering at Maria’s Animal Shelter and making Formula 1 presentations for people. Still, she wanted something more permanent where she could grow and face new challenges.

She worked with Eileen, her YEP key worker, who helped her build strategies for applying for jobs. Together, they focused on building Kelsea’s confidence and developing her transferable skills.

Kelsea took part in Active Plus’ Confidence and Motivation session.

“It was lots of fun and built my confidence through talking to new people. It made such a big difference. I approached an elderly person on the bus and gave her my seat. I never would have done that before.” - Kelsea

She also attended YEP’s Employability Skills course. This covered CVs, cover letters, transferable skills, and what employers expect. During the session, Kelsea applied for an apprenticeship at Tesco. She was shortlisted, and in her next meeting with Eileen, they practiced interview questions and used the STAR method to prepare answers.

The following week, Kelsea moved to the next stage of the application. Even though she faced some technical problems, she did very well and was offered the job soon after. Speaking about her new apprenticeship.

“I’m a bit nervous but excited to learn new skills. I’m looking forward to a future where I can build a career and be more independent.” - Kelsea

We know Kelsea will do great, and we wish her the very best. She asked us to share a photo of her and Merlin playing in the snow.

Oscar

In Summer 2025, Oscar joined the YEP programme. They were looking for support to work towards gaining an apprenticeship. From the beginning, they showed a strong drive to improve and a clear goal for their future. The YEP team started working with Oscar right away. They helped them to take practical steps toward employment.

Whilst on YEP Oscar met with their key worker. He supported them with job applications. Prepared them for interview and improved their CV writing skills. Through one‑to‑one guidance, Oscar learned how to present themselves with confidence. They learned to talk about their skills and strengths. With encouragement from YEP and partner organisations their self‑belief grew. Oscar became more prepared for the world of work.

Alongside this, Oscar decided to work toward their Functional Skills Level 2 Maths qualification. Although it was not needed for their new role, they knew it would support their long‑term goals. By gaining this qualification, Oscar strengthened their CV. This quantification created more opportunities for future training and progression.

Their effort paid off. Oscar secured an apprenticeship at the Headland Hotel. They have settled well into their new role. In December 2025, they also achieved their Functional Skills Level 2 Maths qualification. This marked an important milestone in their journey.

“Thank you for believing in me.” - Oscar

“The team on YEP really did go above and beyond for Oscar. Now, finally, Oscar can put Maths on their CV which really completes their achievements so far.” - Oscar's mum

Oscar’s story shows what can happen when determination is matched with the right support. By overcoming challenges and gaining key qualifications, they have taken a big step toward a bright and independent future.

Everyone involved is proud of Oscar’s progress and excited to see what they achieve next. Let’s continue celebrating their success as they grow in their new role.

Leon on his motorbike

When Leon first joined YEP, he had just moved to Cornwall. He had no formal qualifications or work experience, no identification, and no social network in the county. The YEP team sourced mental health support for Leon through a private service. They signed him up for Active Plus’ Confidence and Motivation course. They helped him get a birth certificate, a provisional licence, and a CBT licence for a motorbike. They also helped him open a bank account and signed him up for Maths and English functional skills. The team supported him with his Truro College application. Leon was successful, and by the time he finished with YEP, he was waiting to begin his Level 1 course in Automotive Maintenance.

This shows Leon’s determination to work towards his goal of working with vehicles.

Five months later, Leon is still riding his motorbike. He has made many friends and continues to work on his Functional Skills Maths. He is finding it much easier and has now switched over to GCSE English. He no longer receives mental health support and is feeling positive about his situation. He has been accepted to study Level 2 Automotive Maintenance and is very excited.

“When I first joined, I was feeling depressed and lost, but now I have a career path and am very excited about the future!” — Leon

The YEP team is thrilled for Leon and excited to see what the future may hold.

Isla

The YEP! team are delighted to have supported Isla on her journey into work and training.

Isla is 19 and joined the YEP programme in July 2025 after finishing college. At that time, she felt unsure about her future. Many of her friends stayed in education, and she worried about becoming isolated. She did not know what her next steps should be.

With help from her YEP Adviser, Jane, Isla joined a council research project that looked at barriers to green training and jobs in Cornwall. Taking part helped her meet new people and build her confidence. She learned that she could work well with others and take part in group activities.

Jane also supported Isla to apply for a beauty therapy apprenticeship at a local hotel. Isla was offered a place and loved learning new practical skills. She showed real talent in her work. Because she joined later in the year, she was unable to catch up on the coursework and could not stay on the programme. Although this was disappointing, the employer gave her excellent feedback and encouraged her to apply again next year. This confirmed that beauty therapy and massage are the right careers for her.

With renewed motivation, Isla has taken positive steps forward. She has applied to Adult Education to gain her Level 2 Maths and English, which will improve her job and training options. She has also started a Level 1 Massage course. She enjoys learning more about the industry and developing her skills.

“It has been really helpful to have a mentor I can talk to about my options, who listens and gives encouragement. Having this support has made me feel more motivated and confident about finding the right training and future employment.”- Isla

Through the research project and meeting new people, Isla has gained confidence in speaking to others. She has also recognised her transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and reliability. These skills have helped her feel ready to explore new opportunities.

Isla has clear goals for the future. She plans to complete her Maths and English, keep building her practical skills, and start volunteering one day a week to gain work experience. She is also applying for casual and part‑time jobs to earn an income while continuing her training. She is focused on developing skills in facial treatments and massage, the areas she hopes to work in.

“Thank you again, we’d be lost and very disheartened without your support.” - mum

The YEP team are very proud of Isla. She has shown determination and resilience, and she now has a clear plan and growing confidence for the future.

Learning new skills on the Laptop When Zara joined YEP, she was facing big challenges in education. These had a serious impact on her mental and physical health. At the start of our meetings, she was getting regular support from two mental health services.

“I am actually excited for the future, which is a new feeling for me.” - Zara

She found it hard to meet in places where she felt calm. Eileen, Zara's her key worker, stepped in to help. Together the discussed and found safe spaces to meet. Together, they made a plan: Zara wanted to pass her Maths and get a job. She joined Plymouth Argyle and worked with Caitlin Jones to achieve her Maths qualification. Zara met often and worked hard.

Zara was offered a job and was delighted. However, after starting, she found the environment challenging and began to feel uncomfortable. This started to affect her confidence and wellbeing. Eileen supported Zara by talking through the situation and helping her explore the best next steps. Together, they agreed it would be better for Zara to leave and continue her job search. Eileen guided her through this process and helped her stay focused on her goals.

With Eileen’s support, Zara soon found a new job that matched her goals. She is doing well in this role and enjoys the challenges and chances to learn. Her team works together and creates a positive space where everyone helps each other. Thanks to Eileen’s guidance, Zara has grown in confidence and independence. Her mental health has improved, and she no longer needs weekly support.

At YEP, we are proud to see how working together can change lives. Zara’s journey shows what can happen with the right help and determination. We wish her every success as she builds her future and works toward her dream of seeing the world.

Zara’s journey shows what can be achieved with determination and the right support. We wish her every success as she builds her future and works toward her dream of seeing the world.

“Because of my time on YEP, I’m moving forward and trying new things. It has helped so much with my confidence. I am actually excited for the future, which is a new feeling for me.” - Zara

Recently, the YEP Team helped a young person as he approached the end of his supported internship. We worked with him to build confidence and plan his next steps. He felt anxious about the change, so we offered reassurance and practical guidance. His provider had found a volunteering placement, and we helped finalise the details. To make this possible, an enhanced DBS check was needed. YEP funded the check, allowing him to take this exciting step toward his future.

The main goals were to boost his confidence and ease his anxiety, and to support a smooth move into a school volunteering placement in September. YEP worked with the school to process his DBS application, which we funded. We also stayed in touch to make sure Cornwall Council’s work experience paperwork was complete before his start date.

Once he started his volunteering placement, we arranged regular meetings. These meetings helped to give reassurance and ongoing support. These check-ins helped him stay in the role, build new skills, and gain valuable experience for his future progression.

The YEP Team are extremely proud that this young person has exceeded his goal. He has maintained his placement and increased his volunteering from two to three days a week. This will help to see how he manages part-time hours—a significant achievement. He is committed to building his confidence and skills as he prepares to apply for a teaching assistant role or similar in the future. His confidence has grown and feedback from his placement shows he is now a valued member of the team.

‘Meeting up with someone I feel comfortable with is really important to me. Meeting me in different environments in the community and my volunteering placement, I like that flexibility. Providing courses I can attend is a good stepping stone for me. YEP provides me with a safety net of security which boosts my confidence’. - Young Person

Blake left college because the large campus felt overwhelming. As a result Blake faced uncertainty about his next steps. With a diagnosis of ADHD and awaiting an ASD assessment, he wanted to study either Mechanics or Personal Fitness. However, he needed the right environment to thrive.

Through the YEP program, Blake’s key worker at PLUSS introduced him to a Personal Fitness course at Duchy College. The smaller campus seemed like a perfect fit. After attending an interview, Blake found the staff welcoming and supportive of his needs. His mum had concerns about attendance, as Blake would need motivation to wake up early and catch his bus.

In September, Blake started the course—and he’s loving it. The smaller groups and campus have made a big difference. He’s been on time every day for his bus and is enthusiastic about the future. His mum is thrilled to see him moving forward with confidence.

“My advisor’s knowledge was so helpful. Without him, I wouldn’t have known about the Sports courses at Duchy College. Getting help with a concessionary bus pass was also a big relief—the cost of transport could have stopped me from going to college.” - Blake

This project supports young people aged 16–24 who are not in work, school, or training—or who might soon be in that situation. It helps them find opportunities and build brighter futures.

Skills Session

The Youth Engagement Programme (YEP) recently held its first skills session. Jane and Eileen (YEP Key Workers) led the session, which focused on transferable skills, CV writing, and cover letter creation.

The session helped young people see that they already have useful skills. These skills often come from hobbies, school, or everyday life. Jack and Lola joined the session and learned something surprising. Jack found out that his love for LEGO helped him build pattern recognition skills. Lola discovered she has a growth mindset, which will help her in her dream job as an editor.

Everyone worked on their CVs and learned how to show off their skills in cover letters. They talked about how to match their strengths to different jobs.

"I’ll re-structure my CV and cover letter with the new skills I’ve learned I have." - Lola

“The interactivity and how relatable it was” were his favourite parts." - Jack

Helping young people recognise and develop their skills is a key part of building confidence and preparing for the world of work. These sessions aim to show that no skill is too small or too niche - everything can be valuable. By learning how to talk about their strengths, young people are better equipped to apply for jobs. They help young people to explore career paths, and feel proud of what they bring to the table.

We’re excited to run more sessions like this. We love seeing young people discover their unique skills and goals. Each person brings something special, and these sessions help them see it.

If you are 16-24 and NEET and would like to attend this or other similar employability sessions, book your spot by emailing: yep@cornwall.gov.uk

To learn more about Skills Sessions please see our flyer in the documents section on this page.