Seven proud young people from Motherwell and Wishaw are the first to complete a pioneering project in North Lanarkshire to help them deal with day-to-day housing issues while learning new skills.

The Big Lottery-funded Keys to Learn initiative - managed by New College Lanarkshire in conjunction with Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) - was a seven-week skills and personal development programme supporting a group of 16-25 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The part-time course – based on an existing GHN model delivered for the first time in North Lanarkshire – also focused on encouraging the young people to:

Topics covered in the 15-hour per week sessions included advice and information on maintaining tenancies, computing, DIY, healthy eating, team-building as well as personal development.

The students also planned, produced, performed and recorded a music DVD with support from Newarthill-based community music charity Reeltime Music. This introduced them to a range of musical instruments and recording techniques, while giving them experience of working to a timescale and in different roles to complete the task.

A ceremony to mark the students’ successful completion of the scheme was held at New College Lanarkshire’s Motherwell campus, where representatives of several Keys to Learn partners – which also include North Lanarkshire Council, Barnardo’s, The Simon Community, Skills Development Scotland and NHS Lanarkshire - watched the young people receive certificates to mark their achievements.

Student Rebecca said: “The course got me interacting with other people and helped me communicate more with people. I would really like there to be another course like this as I feel it has made me a better person.”

Another student, Sarah, said the programme had help build up her confidence and meet new friends.

She added: “I recently took on my own tenancy and being on the course has helped me learn about the range of support in the community to help me keep my tenancy. I’ve also learned some great new skills including cooking and DIY.”

Stuart Matson, New College Lanarkshire’s community programmes manager, said: “We are delighted at the success of this first Keys to Learn programme. It has been a great example of partnership working and supporting young people in our community. We look forward to establishing new programmes in the next two years.”

Peter Anderson, development worker with GHN, said: “It was both a pleasure and privilege to work with the young people and our partners, and we are looking forward to taking part in new courses over the next 24 months.”

Julie Hunter, housing strategy manager with North Lanarkshire Council, added: “We are delighted that this new integrated approach to preparing and supporting young people has had such success.

“For the first time we can offer a well balanced and blended learning experience for people considering the daunting responsibilities of taking on their first tenancy.

“Congratulations to all of the young people who completed the course.”