Helping Young People Find Hope

For the last year Lichfield Cathedral has been instrumental in helping almost 30 young unemployed
people find valuable work placements across a number of job roles in the region, with still a few more
placements to come.

Taking part in the government’s Kickstart initiative, Lichfield Cathedral set itself up as an employment
hub to make available 46 new 6-month job placements for 16-24 year olds in the region. Roles have
been created within the Cathedral itself and with partner organisations such as churches in the
Lichfield Diocese. They have ranged from grounds maintenance to children’s workers and marketing
assistants – all providing valuable work experience from one of the age groups hardest hit by the
pandemic.

Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Lichfield Cathedral explains: “As the situation with the
pandemic worsened in 2020 it became apparent that young people would be some of the hardest hit
by these turbulent times. We discussed how we might give them hope for their futures, and that’s
when the government’s Kickstart scheme was announced. We are so proud as a Cathedral to have
been able to help out these young people and are delighted to hear their stories of the difference it
has made.”

Ben Butterfield, Kickstart Project Manager, who was employed to implement the programme for
Lichfield Cathedral talks about what a privilege it’s been for him to be involved: “On a personal level,
I’m delighted that Lichfield Cathedral has stuck their neck out for a demographic that is easily
overlooked. For many young people who were seeking employment, we’ve had the opportunity to
offer them real employment, helpful experience and new challenges in a supportive environment.
Some of these young people have already gone on to permanent employment elsewhere, and we are
delighted for them.”

However, the best spokespeople for the scheme are the young people who have found work and
direction thanks to it. Here are just a few testimonials:

Gabriella: “In 2019, I began the year homeless. All the stress and bad environment caused me to end
up in hospital, which meant I missed my exams. Finding work was difficult to say the least, but I
landed in work as a care assistant for the elderly. This was a very stressful career and upon reflection, I
realized that I wanted to work with children. Kickstart has made this possible. I am now children and
youth assistant for St Matthews church. Thanks to the scheme, my future is now full of hope. Thank
you, Kickstart and the Lichfield Cathedral, for giving me the chance to become who I want to be.”

Leila: “In June 2021, I finished my degree at the University of Derby. During my time there I decided
that I wanted to go into marketing. I began looking for opportunities that would give me some
experience in this area and that was when I came across Lichfield Cathedrals Kickstart opportunities.
These 6-month placements offer those who are 16 – 24 the chance to gain valuable experience, and in July I was offered the position of Marketing Assistant. During my time here I have helped promote
some amazing events including The Great Exhibition and The Cathedral Illuminated, planned the day-to-
day social media content and was able to complete two marketing courses in social media and
copywriting. This has given me the experience I needed and more for a future career in marketing.”

Nicole: “In July 2021 I begin working at Lichfield Cathedral as their ‘Tours and Box Office Assistant’. I
had limited experience of the working world as I was a recent History and Politics graduate from the University of Liverpool who had been training to become a History teacher. It is my first time out of
education and working at Lichfield Cathedral is the best transitional experience into the workforce
that I could have hoped for. Although working in an office was never somewhere that I saw myself
working in it has turned out to be an invaluable experience that I might otherwise have overlooked if
it was not for their Kickstarter scheme.”