Swansway Garages is aiming to improve young people’s job prospects with a donation of £25,000 to the Crewe YMCA as part of a partnership with its new Talentscape programme.

David Smyth, Swansway Group director, presented a cheque for £25,000 to Richard Holmes, Crewe YMCA development and quality manager at the first birthday celebrations of the fund-raising Crewe Pledge initiative which first introduced the two organisations.

Holmes explained: “We were introduced to Swansway at a Crewe Pledge meeting and they were keen to learn more about our work and to find a way they could support us.

“Working together we came up with the Swansway Talentscape Programme, designed to introduce our young people to the world of work.”

He added: “It’s important to remember that the young people we support may not always have the usual family network around them; taking the first steps into work needs some coaching and confidence and Talentscape will do that for them.”

Crewe YMCA have been able to employ a dedicated Talentscape coach to support young jobseekers and help them to build self-esteem and enhance their skills.

Karen Walker from Swansway Group, first met Holmes at a Crewe Pledge meeting, held at the YMCA. She said: “As a family owned and run business, we focus our charitable giving towards children and young people, so, Richard’s Talentscape vision was something I knew the Smyth family, who own and operate the business, would be keen to support”.

Director David Smyth added: “We already have over 50 apprentices across the group; we’re always keen to give youth a chance, to encourage youngsters to reach their potential.

“However, some of the young people at the YMCA aren’t ready for apprenticeships yet, they need a helping hand and we’re delighted to partner with the YMCA and offer that hand”.