Unemployed young people this summer have been making sure their break has been a productive one by learning the ropes of the business world and raising money for charity along the way.
The Harrow Council-backed X16 scheme helps young people make positive changes to their lives by improving personal and professional skills and experience.
This week, the teenagers signed up to it took part in a pop up shop experiment in the Wealdstone Youth Centre, in High Street, Wealdstone.
Young people designed their own stalls and raised hundreds of pounds for charity by selling clothes, toys, vouchers and accessories, with all money going towards Harrow Foodbank.
One of the teenagers that took part, Keisha Talpahewa, 16, said: “The X16 programme has helped me go to college.
"It has boosted by confidence and allowed me to understand the options I have either in work, training or education. The pop up shop event we held helped me understand business, and offer a glimpse of the working world.
"It’s an added bonus today’s event was for a good cause, to help benefit others in Harrow.”
Ehsan Raza, 17, said: “The scheme has helped me go back into education which I start soon, and back into a routine. It’s increased my confidence and has helped me meet new people both here and in the community.
"The staff are fantastic in making you feel welcome and every just gets along. I would recommend this to anyone who is not in education, employment or training.”
Labour's cabinet member for children, schools and young people Councillor Simon Brown said: “I am pleased to hear how successful this event was and I hope it has given young people not in education, employment or training the confidence, experience and new skills needed to help them into work or training.
"It’s also great to see how actively engaged they are in helping the community whilst gaining new skills and experiences. Our X16 programme is one of many ways the council is helping young people get into work, training or education.”
