RETAIL TRUST & VINSPIRED ANNOUNCE THREE YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Charities to help young people to build skills and confidence for work in the retail sector

With the numbers of young people not in education, employment or training approaching one million this month, Retail Trust and Youth volunteering charity vInspired have teamed up to give young people a step into the retail industry.

The project, launched in Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7), will enlist young people who want to enter or progress in the retail sector to develop and volunteer in local pop-up initiatives. The project is supported by Dan Thompson founder of #riotcleanup and will be aimed at young people aged 16-25.

Nigel J L Rothband, Chief Executive of Retail Trust, the only charity looking after all people in retail, says “We’re very excited about our partnership with vInspired as over 30% of the retail sector workforce is made up of 16-24 year olds, more than double the all-industry average for the UK of 13%.

We want to support community collaboration between retailers and youth and to encourage local regeneration through the use of empty units on our high street and within town centres. We will be calling on retailers in the coming weeks to support their employee’s development through the programme.”

Terry Ryall, CEO of vInspired explains, “vInspired is a charity that, quite simply, gives young people the opportunity to do good things.  This innovative partnership with Retail Trust will not only help build skills for future careers in retail, it will create important links between young people and their local communities. By combining Retail Trust’s expertise in retail, and our own in motivating young people, we hope our three year project will help to inject a new life into our high streets.”

For more information on the programme and explore how your business and staff can take part contact Anahid Basmajian, Retail Trust on 020 8358 7277 or email abasmajian@retailtrust.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:

Retail Trust (registered charity numbers 1090136 and SC039684) is the only charity that looks after the needs of all 3 million people working in retail and currently provides grants and services of approximately £1.5 million per annum to people who are working in or have worked in the retail industry or associated businesses. www.retailtrust.org.uk

vInspired helps young people to discover the value of volunteering - for themselves and for others. It uses the power of online to inspire offline actions - offering easy-to-access opportunities and support for young people to get involved with good causes in their communities.  Since its launch in May 2006, vInspired has worked with over 500 charities and community organisations and 200 businesses to create over 1 million youth volunteering opportunities.  www.vinspired.org