A youth programme is being launched by a Brentford museum this October to address rising youth unemployment in the borough.

The programme Steam Team, set up by the London Museum of Water & Steam, will provide supported volunteering opportunities and employability skills workshops to young people in Hounslow.

Focusing on CV and cover letter writing, career planning and development, and interview techniques and practice, the programme was developed to help address rising youth unemployment in Hounslow due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The programme received funding from National Lottery Awards for All and Hounslow Thriving Communities Fund.

Museum director, Liz Power said: "We are so excited about this project, and can't wait to get started on this new volunteering scheme for the young people in Hounslow.

"By gaining extra skills they will get a great start in finding the right job for them."

The supported volunteering opportunities will give young people the chance to develop skills and experience in a field of their choosing, broadly categorised into four modules: 

Enterprise will include options in retail, marketing /social media and front of house. 

Heritage will include options in archives, administration and interpretation. 

Technical will include options in engineering, gardening and on our steam railway. 

Engagement will include options in learning and education, tour guiding, family activities and community groups. 

After the programme, participants will have the option to continue volunteering and working on their chosen projects.

They will also be invited to form a committee to oversee preparation for the 2022 Steam Team programme.  

Find out more about the programme, here.

The programme starts on Saturday 9 October and runs until Sunday 31 October, and will run again in 2022.