Prepare, improve, inspire – these are the goals of a charity set up to give every child in Medway the best chance in life.

Medway Youth Trust strives to achieve these aims through a range of programmes, services and activities across the Towns.

Now MYT’s efforts will get extra support from the Medway Messenger after being named its Charity of the Year for 2016.

The trust, which began in 2008, has a main centre in New Road, Chatham, and you will also find its staff and volunteers in libraries, schools, and elsewhere in the community.

Since it began, it has evolved to meet changing demands but the mission remains the same.

Chief executive Graham Clewes said: “The work of MYT is even more important now than it was when the charity was formed.

“All our work is focused on helping children and young people to develop essential life skills, get the most from learning to be able to move into work, to build or rebuild relationships with family, friends and their communities, to learn to respect and embrace diversity and most important, to create their own change in the world.”

MYT’s three long-term goals are to ensure young people in Medway are learning and work ready, well prepared for their future and empowered to make their own change.

Its programmes and services are diverse and include support for young carers, youth work projects which encourage young people to volunteer and improve their community, careers guidance and international develop ment experiences.

Taz Rahman, 17, has been supported by the trust since December 2014 when she found herself homeless, unemployed and out of education.

She said: “When I came to Kent I was in a bad place but going to MYT’s programmes I’ve got to meet new people. I’ve got a couple of qualifications and its made me more confident. I’m independent now. I pay my own rent, feed myself, clothe myself and I’m working.”

Through the services offered by MYT, Taz has found a place to live, an apprenticeship as a kitchen assistant and made new friends.

Young people are heavily involved in the decision making with two teenagers sitting on the board as full trustees.

In 2014 the charity became one of only nine organisations in the country to achieve the Gold Hear by Right Award which recognises the way MYT encourages and empowers young people to take the lead when they are ready.

Mr Clewes said: “Everyone here at MYT is absolutely delighted to be chosen as the Medway Messenger Charity of the Year for 2016. It really is a hugely important opportunity for the public and businesses to learn about our charity and to be inspired by our much needed work across Medway.

“We are all very excited about working with the KM this year.”

The trust runs the National Citizen Service programme during the summer, offering 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and volunteer in the community. It includes a residential stay and the teams work together on a community social action project. Last year young people redecorated a skate park, put together rucksacks of essential items for homeless people and helped at a residential home.

In October, 13 young people went to South America to take part in social action project, New Horizons, in Colombia. The group funded the trip themselves by raising more than £20,000 and then spent three weeks working on a coffee farm, a dairy and in a school. They also had a Spanish lesson every day to help them communicate better with local people.

The trust also run drop-in sessions and offers advice on education, training and employment, housing, mediation, career, travel and much more. Advisers offer one-to-one support and guidance through booked appointments for as long as the young person needs them. A bursary scheme is also available for children in care and care leavers.

They also offer a 12-week personal development course run by The Prince's Trust aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25 who are not in education, employment or training.
The young people work towards a certificate in employment, team work and community skills as well as having the chance to gain a qualification in maths and English.

Medway Youth Trust support young carers through one-to-one advice sessions, group sessions and family support, and also run a monthly Youth Forum giving young people the opportunity to have their voices and opinions heard.

MYT is now recruiting young people for the February and March study programmes, the 2016 international New Horizons trip and the summer National Citizen Service programme.

There are also opportunities to work for MYT. Visit www.themytrust.org/work-with-us

For more information visit www.themytrust.org, call 01634 334343 or visit 205-217 New Road, Chatham