International ship supply expert Hutton’s is to provide vital medical support to a dedicated charity which is helping to change the lives of hundreds of young people.
Hutton’s will provide medical certification, lifesaving medicines and equipment to CatZero, a hull-based sail-training charity which was established following previous involvement in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The Humber area has up to twice the national average of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). These potentially vulnerable young people are more at risk from significant health and social problems and are up to three times more likely to become lawbreakers.
CatZero provides an innovative, dynamic and cost-effective solution to the problems associated with unemployed young people in the area, with an exceptionally high rate of success and a sustainable programme for future development.
Working on both sides of the Humber, the charity’s 2014 programme includes:
• Helping the transition for year 6 pupils moving from Primary to Secondary School
• Preparation for years 10/11 pupils moving from Secondary School into work or further training
• Specialist courses for 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training
• Programmes for 18-28 year olds not in education, employment or training
• Entrepreneurship programmes for 18-24 year olds looking to start in business.
John MacDonald, Hutton’s Medical General Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this very worthy and life-changing charity which offers training and guidance for young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, who need help to function in the adult world after school.”
John and his team will monitor CatZero’s medical inventory, keeping track of expiry dates and replacing items as they go out of date throughout the year, as well as supplying the team with medical equipment.
CatZero works with the most hard to reach young people through the delivery of innovative youth development training programmes. These programmes include training sessions, introduction to employment and education opportunities and links to local community activities, leading to a sailing challenge on board the charity’s 72 foot Challenge Racing Yacht called CatZero.
CatZero uses sailing to take young people outside their comfort zone, putting them into a unique challenging situation which looks at how they perform. The young people form two groups (watches) working on a four hour on, four hour off rota alongside two professional crew and volunteers. Each watch carries out key functions to enable the vessel to complete its voyage, including: navigator, engineer, cleaner, cook and team leader.
A CatZero spokesman said: “Sailing brings you back to fundamentals. Spending time on a boat seems to bring out the best in human nature. Sharing the experience with colleagues or complete strangers, working through challenges, experiencing the thrills and discovering strengths you didn’t know you had.”
