YOUNG people who want to learn new skills and make a difference to their local community have been urged to apply for a free training course.

The Children's Centre is running the Junior Leadership in the Community (LinC) course for young people between 11 and 16.

The course offers a chance to learn leadership skills, first aid skills, gain experience working as a team and enables participants to develop projects which will benefit the community.

Janet Bailey, community development manager at The Children's Centre, said: "The last Junior LinC programme we ran was in Jurby. Participants in that programme worked really well together and the course culminated with them redeveloping the local BMX track which had become overgrown with weeds and was unusable.

"This shows what the Junior LinC programme can achieve - it can benefit the community but just as important are the benefits the programme brings to those who take part. Young people can achieve a great deal if they are given a little encouragement and support and Junior LinC is designed to do just that."

The latest LinC course will run during half term from Monday, October 24, to Friday, October 28. Sessions are held from 11am to 4pm daily at The Children's Centre on Woodbourne Road in Douglas.

 
For more information or to apply for a place on the programme contact Janet Bailey on 01624 843762 or 07624 432437 or by e-mailing janet@thechildrenscentre.org.im.

The Children's Centre also run an adult LinC programme - both this and the Junior LinC scheme are funded by Friends Provident International.

For more information on The Children's Centre click here.