HAMPSHIRE businesses are being called upon to give young people the chance to turn their lives around.

Southampton charity Rainbow Project launched its new Daily Echo-backed Life Chances scheme at the Mayor’s Parlour in Southampton Civic Centre.

It matches disadvantaged and vulnerable young people who have been struggling to find work with host businesses to offer them the chance to gain meaningful employment experience.

The young people will be employed by Rainbow Project for 25 hours a week and will be paid the minimum wage.

They will be seconded to host organisations, with the Rainbow Project providing regular supervision and assistance throughout their placement.

The charity is hoping to place 20 young people in work placements.

They are looking for businesses to join the campaign by acting as hosts and providing a job opportunity and/or sponsoring a young person.

Mike Ballard, from charity ROCC/Sitra spoke at the launch about the placements he took on when the scheme last ran.

He spoke of the scheme’s success and urged other businesses to “give young people a chance to change.”

A number of businesses have already signed up to Life Chances, including Southampton City Council, offering young people the opportunity to gain regular employment in the short term, and hopefully give them the skills and experience they need to gain permanent work in the future.

The project is also being backed by AM Connect Rotary Club, Job Centre Plus and MP John Denham, who has written to some 200 local businesses urging them to support the scheme.

* For more information, contact Laura Coleman on 023 8022 3525 or email lauracoleman@tcp.co.uk.