A new Midsomer Norton-based charity has reported a successful first year at a celebratory reception at Radstock Museum. Registered with the Charity Commission in May 2017, the Somer Valley Education Trust CIO is the vision of local Radio Manager, Dom Chambers, and uses media training to build confidence and employability skills to help people in a life of their choosing.

Dom says: “The Somer Valley Education Trust has really helped build the capacity of the training we have been doing at Somer Valley FM for years, so that way, more people can benefit from the confidence and skills they can achieve through our Media Education, Training and Skills (METS) programme.”

The trust’s METS training programme was commissioned to Somer Valley FM. In its first year ‘pilot’ phase, it targeted a number of different groups, including school students under-sixteen, young people not in education employment or training, those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, adults in recovery from addiction and people with learning disabilities.

The Trust’s educational and charitable partners, local decision makers, funders and beneficiaries gathered to hear how the charity had got on in its first year. The evening began with a drinks reception at the museum for everyone to meet and enjoy live music from local folk violinist, Nik Jovcic-Sas. SWALLOW charity, who have a group of members taking part in METS, provided canapés.

Chair of Trustees, Michael Gorman, who previously was responsible for Looked After Children’s Education in B&NES, welcomed the guests and introduced the theme of the evening. “METS provides training, not only in media technology, but also in skills such as teamwork, interviewing, listening and responding, working to deadlines, planning and sticking to a brief.

“This is what modern employers are looking for in potential employees, and we are very proud of our track record to date in supporting young people into employment."

Working with B&NES Youth Connect, the Trust awarded eleven Skill-Me-Up certificates to Year 8 and 9 students at Fosse-Way, Norton Hill and Somervale Schools. These certificates acknowledge skills gained through volunteering following completion of Somer Valley FM’s After School’s Training course that introduces students to radio production. Simon Mills is a trustee of the Midsomer Norton School’s Partnership. He said: “Of course, national examination success should be celebrated and valued, but unfortunately this is not a always a reliable measure for many employers who require useable and practical skills in the workplace.”

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Lucy Nelson, who founded the charity, Tommy’s, also addressed the event: “A scheme such as METS lifts young people out of situations where loneliness and isolation might create mental health risks.

“The scheme gives people a voice and it creates a framework where communication is at the center of their life. It teaches crucial workplace skills without stress. I would like to see this scheme run throughout Somerset.”

The Trust’s Chief Executive officer, Dom Chambers, has led the training. He reported that they had received funding of £25,000 from St John’s Foundation, Bath, to target 26 beneficiaries. He told the event that 35 people had, in fact, benefited from the project.

As well as St John’s Foundation support for the scheme has also come from The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Sperring Trust. Dom also thanked the event sponsors of King Watkins Accountants, Cognisant Research and EyePlan Ltd. He warmly thanked Radstock Museum for hosting the reception and all the help from their volunteers.

In outlining his vision Dom said that: “Charities are devisable into two categories; you either ‘do’ or enable others to ‘do’. If we are the ‘doers’ then St John’s have enabled this to be done.”

somervalleytrust.org