Travis, 20, is a Kickstart trainee on the Natural Neighbourhoods programme in Northamptonshire.
“Before joining the Natural Neighbourhoods programme I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for a career. I was looking for jobs but as nothing peaked my interest and I was struggling. But when I saw this opportunity I instantly went for it.
I’ve been involved for three months now and I’m really enjoying it. I like being outdoors, instead of a job where I’m behind a desk. It’s good to be out in the environment and learning new skills. It’s definitely something I want to continue to do. I really enjoy getting stuck into the work.
“It’s been great working with the other Kickstarters also – we talk to each other outside of work and do things together, which has been great. I’m a lot happier since being on the programme.
“Before I started here, I would have avoided situations with many people, but over the last three months I definitely feel more self-confident and more social. I feel like I’ve changed as a person.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do when I finish the placement, but I feel more confident to find what opportunities I can go for and are out there.”
Natural Neighbourhoods is a targeted programme which helps young people into employment. The programme creates jobs and develops a programme of environmental traineeships to support the improvement and protection of local parks and the greenspaces that matter to the surrounding communities.
This project is funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.