The L&D team at Network Rail set us the challenge of developing a project with a charity where their skills could really make a difference, but also stretch themselves as well.

• Our research led us to MK Christian Foundation, a charity that develops young people, 15 – 25, through social enterprise. Many of the young people they work with come from particularly challenging backgrounds, often with heart-breaking stories to tell.
• We collaborated with MKCF to devise a one-day project where the Network Rail team spent some time in the morning getting to know the young people and then devised tailored development sessions in the afternoon, based around their needs and the conversations they’d had.
• Three Hands facilitated the day and while the Network Rail team found this challenge quite different to their normal working day, and at times uncomfortable, they really rose to the challenge and responded to the young people in a way that met them at their level.

“The project was mutually beneficial for all participants and we were impressed with how the volunteers from Network Rail engaged with and understood our trainees [young people].”

“The trainees engaged with the workshops more than we expected and discussed their thoughts, feelings and concerns about employability in front of a large group of people.”

Sue Chamberlain, Client Services Manager, MK Christian Foundation, 2018