Rathbone Glasgow has been offering such superb support to young people that it’s had to shift into another new centre to cope with demand.

Over the last five years, the team has upped-sticks three times and is now situated in a base on Queen Street complete with catering facilities, IT suite and brightly decorated training rooms. But then when you have as much compassion as Rathbone Glasgow you need spacious rooms situated in the heart of the city!

Top left: Elaine Campbell and Stephanie Fitzgerald Top right: Stephen Curran, Maxine McLean, Stephen Donaldson and Shelby McPhail Bottom left: Dame Jackie Fisher and Angela Constance MSP Bottom right: Nichole Dunnett and Emma Holt

“There’s a real buzz about this building and the people in it” said Scottish Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance MSP, who officially opened the centre. She added: “The Scottish Government wants young people to be confident individuals. We have ambitions for all young people because they have talent and ambitions.”

Rathbone Glasgow boosts 16-18 year-olds by giving them the skills to compete in the job market through its Get Ready for Work programme. There was certainly no shortage of self-esteem amongst a quintet of learners who entertained guests at the launch - despite having just three days of training from music academy Soundsational!

The Big Lottery funded Training Opportunities for Young People (TOPs) has also struck a chord with young people – some of whom have faced issues such as poverty and isolation. Offering everything from away days to baby massage classes, the scheme has helped move mums into further education and work.

Left: Nicole McKinnon and Dylan McDermott Right: Joseph Dodds and James McCabe

Designing and creating clothes with the Glasgow Impact Arts programme has fashioned a boost in confidence for learners such as Emma Holt and Nicholle Dunnett. Lifeskills duo Dylan McDermott and Nicole McKinnon meanwhile showcased the knowledge they’d gathered including, “how to be a successful learner!”

Businesses, supporters, partners, politicians (including Sandra White MSP for the Glasgow Kelvin constituency) and the national media were guests at the launch event. The latter were particularly interested in Rathbone Glasgow’s call to repair the reputation of work experience. As the centre has seen in its dealings with employers such as the Beti Reilly hairdressing salon, giving young people a placement can shape the direction of their future career.

Learn more about SoundSational at www.soundsationalmusic.co.uk and Glasgow Impact Arts at http://www.impactarts.co.uk/

See further pictures from the launch on Twitter @rathbone_uk