Project which helps transform lives is back in Scunthorpe after four-year break

A project that has helpd thousands of people to change their lives over the last decade is back in Scunthorpe after a four-year break. The CatZero charity has completed the first of six new programmes in North Lincolnshire, supported by the European-funded Community Led Local Development (CLLD) scheme, administered through North Lincolnshire Council . They will see up to 14 unemployed people on each course – all with different issues and challenges that they need to overcome. Participants are taken through a series of team-building activities, business support work, volunteering, CV compilation, mock interviews and personal one-to-ones. Together the 14 people on the first CLLD course achieved 142 certificates of achievement and qualifications, including food hygiene and health and safety, with a 95 per cent pass rate. Sailing is also an integral part of the work, with the charity using its floating classroom – a 72ft challenge yacht – to take people on short and long sails. The participants experienced an eight-day sail from the Humber to the Orkney Islands, working four-hour on and four-hour off shifts to sail the boat while carrying out all the on-board duties in an environment free from peer pressure or outside influence. A celebration event for successful participants has been held at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe . Jordan Godwin, 21, from Scunthorpe, took part in the programme and has now applied for cruise ship work. He said: "I would recommend this to anyone, it will change your life around. I have done other programmes before, but nothing like this." CatZero programme manager Pete Tighe said: "We are delighted to be back here, working with a group of people who have wanted to be inspired, to move from the lives they have now to the lives they want. Well done Scunthorpe for rising to the challenge." To enquire about future CLLD programmes in Scunthorpe, email pete@catzero.org