The six-strong team, from Middlesbrough and aged between 16 and 25, turned their hands to making much-needed sleeping bags for people facing nights on the streets as part of the community project they complete on the 12-week programme. Backing from UKSE’s Community Support Fund gave the team £1,500 to buy the materials.

The team took parcels of food and toiletries along with the sleeping bags to people in need of them and also decorated a room at Coatham House, a charity that provides supported housing for young people,

Nathan James, The King’s Trust Team Leader in Middlesbrough, said: “Everyone was keen to choose a community project that helped people faced with homelessness. UKSE’s generous offer funded the materials involved from paint and brushes to the special insulating material for the sleeping bags.

“The team members get such a sense of satisfaction from helping their community. They also learn a whole range of new skills from budgeting, communication and presentation to teamwork and practical hands-on skills such as painting and sewing in this instance.”

Sarah Thorpe, Regional Manager for UK Steel Enterprise, said: “We have been keen supporters of The King’s Trust Team Programmes for a considerable time now, backing many teams on Teesside from our Community Support Fund, set up to help improve the lives of people living in our steel areas. These programmes not only help unemployed young people acquire valuable new skills but also really benefit local communities.”

Experts at Katwalk Kimberley’s, a local social enterprise clothing company that helps people into employment by teaching accredited sewing courses, helped the team make around thirty sleeping bags for distribution.

The King’s Trust Team programme in Middlesbrough is delivered by the Education Training Collective (Etc.). The Etc., which incorporates Stockton Riverside College, has been a delivery partner for The King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust) for 28 years with 86% of the young people progressing into employment, further education or training. The programme includes work experience, help with a range of practical and employment skills and a residential week.