This week, Moray Pathways along with a number of our partners launched the new Moray Pathways @ The Inkwell project.
The Hub, which will provide a single point of contact, has been created by a sub group of the Moray Pathways network. This includes members of the Moray Council employability team, DWP, Elgin Youth Development Group, Skills Development Scotland and DYW Moray.
Clair Ferguson was one of a few people who spoke at the launch event and we felt what she said deserved to be shared here:
“Good afternoon everyone, I am Clair Ferguson – Chief Officer of the Elgin Youth Development Group and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all. It’s so nice to finally have people in and using the building again after such a long time. Many of you have been regular users of the Inkwell over the years, hiring our space or attending meetings here but like many others in our sector we have had to reflect on how we would adapt to life post lockdown, it may be a bit early to say post pandemic!
“As a long-standing charity within Moray, we were concerned about the economic and social impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on our community. We particularly wanted to support young people who have been badly affected by the pandemic and we wanted to build on the employability work we have been undertaking where we offer paid work placements so that young people can build their skills, confidence and knowledge and we wondered if our building could be used as an employability hub.
“With that in mind we approached Moray Pathways and behind the scenes a sub group of the Moray Pathways’ partners have been working really hard to create the hub which we are happily launching today. Moray Pathways @ The Inkwell is a perfect project to provide young people with opportunities, expert advice and support to help them into employment and we are delighted to be a partner. We have retained some capacity so that we can continue to hire out our space when the Moray Pathways aren’t using it and we have created this café space as an additional resource.
“Our hope is that by coming together with other Moray Pathways partners we will create a safe and welcoming place for young people and those who are facing unemployment or job insecurity to come and gain the support that they need.”
