Helm Young Parents' Employment (HYPE) project
Helm Young Parents' Employment (HYPE) project is the first project of its kind in the city which aims to give young parents, and in particular young mothers, the daily support and individual help they need to make the difficult transition towards getting back into work or moving into full-time training.
Currently the project runs in the afternoons on most days from 2-4pm except Mondays when it runs at the slightly earlier time of 12.45pm at the Dundee centre and caters to the needs of 15-24 year olds. The participants are given very personal support and encouraged to work towards ASDAN qualifications, Food Hygiene, vocational skills in beauty and hair, employability skills, as well as independent living skills like budgeting and cooking that will make their lives easier in the future as working parents.
Helm works closely with the St Andrew's Family Support Project who run their Play and Stay session for young parents who are under 21 years on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 12 noon, an ante-natal group on Tuesday and the 22 Group on Friday afternoon. Helm also operates jointly the Play & Learn 'learning crèche' project which enables young learners based at the Helm centre to access training in childcare (see Enterprise section)
A crèche is run daily for the young people and their travel costs are provided.
This training scheme now in its third year continues to attract large numbers of young parents and has strong links with other agencies across the city.
Download Update HYPE and Crèche
Download HYPE leaflet
Young Parent: Leanne
Leanne first started at the St Andrew's Family Support Project two years ago when she was 18 years, shortly after having twin boys. She started using the HYPE service soon after and has been regularly attending both of these joined up-services since. Through the Family Project she has developed parenting skills and a network of good friends - and despite set backs is hoping to be the full carer for her children soon. In addition she has achieved a Food Hygiene qualification, and completed the Food Standards Agency's Cookwell course and is now working towards an ASDAN qualification. She is also a highly experienced beautician through the weekly training session and is now applying for a range of jobs with her preference, as a very friendly and outgoing person, towards catering and hospitality.
For Leanne the joint projects have provided her significant support, " I have enjoyed everything and learnt a lot especially in cooking. Everyone is friendly and I am now getting help with jobs too."
is the operating name for Helm Training Ltd.
Company No. SC099885