The Fairbridge programme
The Fairbridge programme is an individually
tailored personal development programme for young people aged
between 13 and 25. It combines one-to-one support and group
activities, delivered by a dedicated team in Prince's Trust
Centres.
The
programme helps marginalised and disengaged young people who face a
range of issues and barriers in their lives. It empowers them
through positive opportunities and experiences and helps them
re-engage with society.
The aim of the programme is for young people to gain personal
and social skills needed to stabilise their life circumstances and
ensure that their situation does not degenerate further, as well as
the confidence and motivation they need to move into a positive
outcome (education, employment, training or volunteering).
In 2011, 2,467 young people went on an Access course. Most were
classed as having ‘multiple needs’, such as homelessness, substance
misuse or a history of offending. 85 per cent of those that
finished the programme went on to positive steps or
outcomes.
Fairbridge is currently delivered through 15 Prince's Trust
Centres based in the most disadvantaged areas of the
UK.
Fairbridge made me realise that if you put your
mind to it, you can achieve whatever you want and you don't have to
be afraid of anything.
- Paulina
How does it work?
The programme begins with a five day Access course. It’s
specifically designed for young people who may have struggled with
more structured programmes and is delivered using challenging,
adventurous activities including a few days away from home at an
outdoor residential venue.
Young people then choose from a wide variety of Follow On
courses to develop personal and social skills that are practised in
a range of relevant life situations as the young person moves
through the programme.
Young people receive one-to-one support from a dedicated staff
team in The Prince’s Trust Centre which helps them to get the most
from the experience. The programme continues for as long as it’s
needed and, once ready, young people are supported in Moving On to
a positive step or outcome.
See a diagram of how the Fairbridge programme works
here.
Young people can:
- tailor the programme to suit their needs
- develop personal and social skills allowing them to take
responsibility for, and learn from, their own actions and
behaviour
- access intensive one-to-one support
- find support to work on their self-confidence and
motivation
- gain nationally recognised qualifications
- access a wider network of opportunities
Programme history
Up until 2011, Fairbridge was a separate charity. Find out more about how the organisation
merged with The Prince's Trust.