YCAT team supporting young people into work

Six young adults with learning difficulties are developing new skills, becoming more independent and enjoying feeling part of the community thanks to a new volunteer work placement scheme.

YCAT

Midlothian Council’s Young Community Access Team (YCAT) set up the initiative, which offers personalised support for the young people and works with community organisations offering the placements.

Acceptance and respect

The Penicuik Storehouse, The Gorebridge Beacon and the Salvation Army are taking part in the scheme, which they agree helps promote a culture of acceptance and mutual respect while promoting inclusivity.

Hospitality role

At Penicuik Storehouse, the YCAT volunteers, Ben Brown, Jordan Brunton and Sam Ramsay help produce and serve up a community meal every Wednesday.

Ben says “The customers are so happy when we plate up and serve the community meal”, while Jordan enjoys “speaking to all the customers” and Sam loves “being in charge of the dishwasher”.

Learning new skills

Penicuik Storehouse Volunteer Coordinator Jane Montgomery says: ‘We are delighted to have YCAT service users Sam, Jordan and Ben, along with service officer Kingsley, onboard at Penicuik Storehouse to help with our weekly community meal. They bring a joyful presence to the storehouse every Wednesday and we are so grateful for all the work they do to ensure that our community meal runs smoothly.  It is great to see them interacting with fellow volunteers and customers and learning new skills along the way.”

Different roles

YCAT service users volunteer in the Gorebridge Beacon café on Mondays while other YCAT volunteers enjoy working with the charity, the Salvation Army. 

Plans to widen scheme

The YCAT team hopes to widen the initiative to benefit more young adults with learning difficulties and local organisations in coming months.

Referals

Referrals to the service are made via the Social Work Learning Disability Team.