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Citizenship for Life (Also known as C4L or Citizenship 4 Life) is a programme for teenagers which aims to improve career opportunities, business skills, and citizen awareness.
Contents
Students from selected schools apply for a limited number of places on the programme, and those who are selected are assigned a mentor, and taken to educational locations once a month, such as the Big Issue, the Guardian and the London School for social entrepreneurs.
Funding
Each programme, which costs £2000 per student, is funded entirely from private sponsorship by local businesses, and the Rotary Club. No money is taken from the council or government funds.
Foundation
The Citizenship for Life programme was created and organised by Charlotte Chadwick, and her colleague Helen Jones.
First year, 2009–10
Over one hundred students from the two selected schools - Helston and Mullion - applied for C4L programme, with those who would benefit the most being selected. The mentors came from several local businesses, and the rotary club, with all of them having a successful background.
The students also participated in team-building exercises at BF Adventure in Cornwall. The group completed the 12-month programme which increased self-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, team working experience, and appreciation of the world of work, social enterprise, entrepreneurship and risk.
The last event of the twelve month cycle was a celebration breakfast event at Fifteen, where all the sponsors, related officials and parents were invited. The students that were involved gave five-minute speeches about their experiences, after the project leader, Charlotte Chadwick, had spoken. Over eighty people turned up as guests to the event.
After the programme had finished, five of the year's students went to the Mason Lodge in Helston to give speeches to encourage the Rotary to sponsor the next year.
Second year, 2011–12
Three schools are part of this year of the programme: Mullion, Falmouth, Penryn. There are 12 students, 4 from each school that participating in the program.
Third year and expansion planned
A third year is planned for the Helston, Lizard, Falmouth and Penryn area, and the programme will be expanding to Newquay as well, being led by David Chadwich