Bishop of Durham helps launch youth job initiative

The Bishop of Durham has launched a new initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment in Darlington.

The Rt Rev Justin Welby has agreed to be patron of the Darlington Foundation, which seeks to boost the employment prospects of young people in the area by improving links between schools, colleges, universities and employers.

The foundation will run throughout this year with the hope of creating 100 new jobs and 100 new apprenticeships, as well as creating internships and supporting young people in self-employment.

The initiative has the support of the Darlington Partnership, The Northern Echo and Darlington Borough Council.

Bishop Welby said: “This is something I feel passionately about. It is of huge importance and has the potential to transform a very, very large number of lives.”

He said businesses and organisations needed to acknowledge the depth of the economic crisis but also work to retain skills for when the economy improves.

He said: “An effective business deals with the crisis but also makes sure that it can emerge from it.

"We have to recognise that there is a crisis with youth unemployment and recession but we need to plan to flourish in the future. I am very privileged to be patron of this incredible initiative.”