Member Article

A capsule to capture The Prince’s Trust spirit

Future generations are being given a unique insight into life as a student at Stockton Riverside College.

Digging deep to mark The Prince’s Trust’s 40th anniversary, students and staff have been working together to capture the spirit of 2016 in a time capsule which will be buried at the college’s Stockton site.

“The idea is for the capsule to be opened in another 40 years,” said Prince’s Trust Stockton Team Leader, Melisa Marsden.

“So much has changed over the last four decades, it is fascinating to consider what will have happened in another 40 years.”

Filling the capsule with memorabilia from their course, a group of young people from The Prince’s Trust Stockton Team gathered photographs, postcards, a memory stick, a T-shirt and newspapers covering key events this year.

“When you think about it a lot has happened in 2016 that will be of historical interest,” said Melisa. Not least the vote to leave the European Union and the appointment of the UK’s second female prime minister.

Melisa added: “There’s sure to be a lot more changes over the next 10 years, never mind 40.”

Delivering 18 Prince’s Trust Team programmes each year at locations across Teesside and the wider region, Stockton Riverside College has long worked in partnership with the charity.

Head of Department Gillian Hutchinson said: “Over the years we have been able to help and support thousands of young people.”

Keen for the College to play its part in the 40th anniversary celebrations, Gillian added: “We believe in the work that The Prince’s Trust does and the positive outcomes the young people can go on to achieve.

“We are very proud of all our staff and students that have been involved.”

Stamped with instructions to open the capsule in 2056, it will now be buried and a commemorative tree planted to mark the milestone celebration.

The Prince’s Trust Team programme is a free 12 week personal development course available to those aged 16 to 25 and not currently in education, training or employment.

Taking part in a series of tasks and challenges the young people develop a wide range of new skills helping to give their CV a boost and work out what they want to achieve in the future.

We currently have Teams starting in Redcar, Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Billingham, Stockton and Middlesbrough.

If you are aged 16 to 25 and unemployed then this course offers you the chance to develop confidence, motivation, tolerance, communication skills and self-belief. It’ll look great on your CV too. All travel expenses are reimbursed and existing benefits are not affected.

Book your place now or for more details visit www.stockton.ac.uk/princes-trust or call 01642 865 566.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Marie Turbill .