Romsey Mill, Cambridge: Bridging the gap
The Romsey Mill Transitions Programme is one of many projects funded by the Church Urban Fund. Working in the most deprived wards of Cambridge, the project supports young people at risk of exclusion or failure at school.
Pete attended a group supporting the transition of young people from primary to secondary school where his confidence grew about this decisive step in his life. ‘Now I am at secondary school, someone comes in to help me practise reading. I have also learnt to listen more and to be confident in front of people. In March we went on a trip and I did things I never thought I could do. I decided that in the future I would try new things even if I’m scared.’
For a child who is struggling with a range of family and other social issues, the transition to secondary school can be critical. The programme offers support and activities to build life-skills, self-esteem and healthy behavioural patterns. The current Church Urban Fund grant is helping the project to develop a peer mentoring scheme to support young people like Pete, moving from primary to secondary school. A support service for young women at risk of teenage pregnancy is also being developed.
‘With the support of the Church Urban Fund, Romsey Mill Trust is now identified as the lead organisation in the delivery of transitions work across Cambridge City’ says Neil Perry, CEO of Romsey Mill Trust. ‘The funding benefits many vulnerable young people and the wider communities we serve. We are very grateful for the ongoing investment.’