Changing Direction for Success 

In May 2021 we agreed a 2-year partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council to support its Changing Direction for Success (CDS) project. The project aims to provide positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour for young people and lessen the temptation for them to get involved in criminal activity.

The CDS project targets NEET (not in employment, education or training) young people in the Eastleigh area, encouraging them to get involved in learning new skills through individual tailor-made programmes. It aims to improve the motivation and focus of local young people, help their social and emotional development, and enhance their career prospects making them more financially independent and less likely to rely on benefits.

Within 7 months of us supporting this project, 44 referrals have been made to CDS all of those NEET young people who have had involvement in anti-social behaviour, criminal activity and/or poor behaviour when in education. So far, the project participants have gained a total of 51 qualifications ranging from construction, customer service and health and social care. 12 are now in full-time education and training and 7 are in employment.

Ryan Bragg, Community Safety Officer, Eastleigh Borough Council:

“The partnership with VIVID Plus has had a hugely positive impact on the Changing Direction for Future Success Project.

It’s enabled us to upscale our initial pilot project to open up a wide range of nationally recognised training courses and qualification opportunities to even more young people.

The skills these young people have developed have helped them grow in self-confidence, awareness and they now have aspirations to achieve what they want in life.”

You can read our press release on our partnership with CDS here.