YOUNG women from Wrexham and Flintshire were congratulated as they completed a training programme.

Two graduation ceremonies were held for the 16 young women who have changed their lives through a six-month employment with local charity, WeMindTheGap.

Wrexham's was held on Tuesday evening in at Moneypenny and on Wednesday evening Flintshire's was held at Theatre Clwyd.

As friends, family, local councillors and community figures mingled with business owners and corporate sponsors, each young woman proudly spoke of the changes she had made to her life since joining the traineeship and of her plans for the future.

Each of the trainees has experienced a difficult start in life and had been receiving benefits or supported care, unable to lead an independent life. Some had suffered physical and mental health issues, and none had had the support that they deserved.

Since participating in the training scheme seven have already secured full-time work, two are moving into full-time education, three have interviews secured for this week and next, and the remaining few have clear plans and will be looking for work in care, holistic therapies or administration.

WeMindTheGap has brought councils, employers and local services together to offer a paid, varied and holistic six-month traineeship.

This typically starts with a week’s Outward Bound activities and then edges gently closer to a scenario of experiencing a regular work week and independent living, through work placements within local businesses, life skills workshops and coaching sessions.

WeMindTheGap founder and chair Rachel Clacher, co-founder of award-winning outsourced communications company Moneypenny, said: “Tonight is all about celebrating the success and achievements of these amazing young women as they reach the end of this six-month employment with WeMindTheGap.

“In October last year, they put their trust in us as a team and committed to making the most of this unique opportunity.

"As a result, they now have the real futures that they deserve.

“We will forever be indebted to the powerful community of councils, businesses, coaches and individuals who have joined us.

"They have given us their time, their consideration, their support, their expertise.

"In so doing, they have given our trainees a whole new perspective on where their talents and ambitions lie.”

The charity model is a six-month paid traineeship, followed by a further six months of support, as former trainees use their new skills to gain employment, education and a better life in general.

The charity aims to help underprivileged young women transition from “prisoners of circumstance” to “pilots of their own lives”.

The charity's funding partners include Flintshire Council, Wrexham Council, Welsh Government, Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, Redrow Homes, Communities First, Procure Plus, Neumark Community Foundation, Solvay plc and St James’s Place Foundation.

The participating employer partners for Flintshire include Coleg Cambria, Crime Prevention Services, Enbarr, L’il Angels, Llys Eleanor (Flintshire Council), Odel Involve (Pennaf), Old CourtHouse Café (Pennaf), Redrow and Theatr Clwyd.

Participating employer partners for Wrexham include Solvay, Ramada Hotel, Techniquest, Deva House Day Care, Moneypenny, Crazy Ladies and Homestead Nursery.

The charity recently secured a significant award from the National Lottery Community Fund that will fund core costs to allow the charity to secure more trianeeships in more communities across north Wales and the North West every year.