The #Focus5 project provides unique, flexible, one-to-one support to young people aged 15-18 across Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset, who may be struggling to move forwards in life.

Funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund, #Focus5 help young people take steps back into education, employment or training. We encourage development of the ‘5’ key skills identified by employers as being gateways to employment: Communication – Customer Service – Organisation – Problem Solving – Teamwork.

The #Focus5 Key Workers offer a wealth of experience in working with young people. The support can be anything that helps young people towards education employment or training, as long as they show a commitment to engaging with the project. With so many success stories from the project you can see up to date with #Focus5 over on the website.

Success Story

DG came to us suffering with low self-esteem and lacking in motivation. He didn’t enjoy school and felt like an outsider; they even had him on a reduced timetable. With his confidence low, DG became very unsure of his future.

Since working with #Focus5 he has gained direction and feels like he is making positive life choices. Thanks to his revived confidence and the support with CV writing, DG has now managed to find work. Having a job has given DG financial independence and now he is the proud owner of a provisional driving license. He is now investing his available time on practicing the online theory and hazard perception tests.

DG is more organised, generally a lot happier and glad to be leaving school behind. He is moving into adulthood with more life skills, employability skills and generally feeling glad to be achieving his goals.