Over the past month I seem to have spent more time attending celebration events at the Leeds Civic Hall than in the whole of my twenty years working in local government! No bad thing given the tough challenges councils are facing in this tough economic climate. The Civic Hall is a stunning building overlooking Millenium Square. This is the door to the ladies loos! I just think it is an amazing entrance to a public convenience. Although I got some dodgy looks getting the camera out here :-s

Today I attended a celebration of the Future Jobs Fund scheme which sadly after 2 years of success stories was withdrawn by the government in September this year. The scheme aimed to get 16-24 year olds into employment by giving them the confidence and self esteem they were previously lacking - by giving them an apprenticeship and the opportunity to gain new skills.

The scheme was aimed at those who have never been given a chance in life due to difficult childhood and having no role models - or in the case of our apprentice - Sam - had had to flee his troubled country just to stay alive. He fled Eritrea and stowed away in a boat and was granted asylum in the UK. He will never be able to return and will never see his family again. You could not wish to meet a more lovely, polite, hard working young man. He spent 6 months with our service learning administration and customer service skills. His command of the English language flourished and his determination to succeed in all areas of his life was just so wonderful to see. Sadly as we had no vacancies at the end of his apprenticeship we could not provide him with a permanent job; however he was so happy every day that people believed in him and taught him so many new skills.

He is now studying at university and doing voluntary work at a local hospital and I have no doubt he will go far in life.

This is just one of many cases that were presented at the celebration. Many young people have had chance to prove they have so much to offer when they had not previously been given a chance in life and had no-one who believed in them. Many now have permanent jobs.

Let's hope the government replaces this scheme with something equally worthwhile so those young people who have so much to offer can look forward to a life not living on benefits. There will always be those who choose that path - but so many also who would not.

A year ago Sam saved up and came to a Winter Ball with us. Long frocks, dickie bows - the works! How handsome he looked in his dinner suit! He had never seen anything like it. He had pâté to start and had no idea how to eat it ( but wasn't embarrassed to ask :-)). Such everyday things were all a major learning experience for him. He and his stunning girlfriend danced til dawn! Such a happy memory.