Huge thanks and a warm welcome to VocaLink, new Keyfund funder in North Yorkshire

Article by Rossie Ashton

We are delighted to announce that VocaLink have pledged to support Keyfund in North Yorkshire.

VocaLink, the international smarter payments partner, has become a sponsor of Keyfund in North Yorkshire. In recognition of the fantastic work that Keyfund does to inspire young people to develop new skills, VocaLink has developed a formal community agreement with the charity pledging its support.

VocaLink’s financial support will fund vital projects that young people in the Harrogate area wish to undertake. Working with North Yorkshire County Council who run Keyfund in North Yorkshire, this will help Keyfund to meet its goal of helping young people develop the 12 Keyfund skills, ranging from coping with stress through to decision making and time planning.

An essential part of the work that Keyfund does relies on the support of many volunteers. VocaLink has trained members of its staff to become Community Panel Members. They will give up their time to participate in live panels that give young people the opportunity to demonstrate their project learning in a face-to-face environment.

County Councillor Arthur Barker, Executive Member for Youth Services in North Yorkshire said: “Keyfund would be lost without the support of local businesses like VocaLink which not only make our projects financially viable but also provide crucial support in terms of their staff involvement in our programmes. We have supported more than 1,000 young people this year to date and demand for our services is growing. It’s fantastic to have the VocaLink staff on board, helping young people to learn new skills that they can transfer into other parts of their lives.”

Mark Chapman, Chairman of CSR at VocaLink, said: “Central to the VocaLink ethos is supporting and inspiring young people, a philosophy that Keyfund embodies. As an employer, it’s important to us to create sustainable benefits in our local community through the concept of shared value and we are delighted to help these youngsters develop new skills."