Celebrating 10 years of helping young people in Blackpool

A community interest company which has helped thousands of young people in Blackpool find training and jobs is celebrating 10 years since it was set up in the resort.
UR Potential is celebrating 10 years in BlackpoolUR Potential is celebrating 10 years in Blackpool
UR Potential is celebrating 10 years in Blackpool

URPotential, based on Central Drive, was started by Linda Markey who remains at the helm today.

It has also drawn around £3m into the economy over the past decade.

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The organisation, whose partners include Blackpool Council, the police and many voluntary services, has delivered countless projects on the Fylde coast.

UR Potential stall at International Women's DayUR Potential stall at International Women's Day
UR Potential stall at International Women's Day

These include hosting the Annual Youth Summit and the Annual National LGBT Festival, as well as running Blackpool Youth Council and holding elections for the town's Member of Youth Parliament.

Funding has come from sources including the European Social Fund, the National Lottery and the BBC's Children in Need.

Linda said: "We would like to thank our funders and partners, and also our directors and steering group who guide and support us every step of the way.

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"Most of all we want to thank everyone who has ever used our service.

A babysitting training course organised by UR PotentialA babysitting training course organised by UR Potential
A babysitting training course organised by UR Potential

"We are proud of our dedicated team who always go that extra mile, but most of all we are proud of the positive difference we have made to the lives of

many young people, adults and families.

"Our volunteers and service users continue to be nominated and receive certificates and awards for their hard work and endeavour - too many to mention."

Over the past decade UR Potential has worked with and supported 23,500 young people into volunteering, 12,653 adults and young people into training, 5,650 to gain accreditations, 2,354 people into employment, and 6,587 into further and higher education.

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It has created 28 new job roles at URPotential and brought nearly £3m into the local economy.

Awards include BIBA’s Third Sector Business Award in 2016 and the Wyre Council Civil Society of the Year Award in 2018.