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On Wednesday afternoon, we welcomed our incredible ambassadors into our Youth Hub for the very first time. It marked the start of something really special.

This wasn’t just a meeting. It was people coming together because they believe the same thing: every young person deserves a chance to be empowered to reach their potential, supported by people who care, with places to go and things to do, and the chance to feel seen and heard.

From the moment everyone walked in, the room just felt different. Conversations started straight away. People got talking, shared why they support Inspire and learned more about what life looks like for young people in our community.

A pivotal moment in the afternoon came from Andy, who led a conversation about youth unemployment and the barriers many young people are facing right now. He shared powerful insight and statistics that helped bring the reality behind the headlines to life.

Since 1 December 2025, we’ve supported 752 young people across our services. That includes 309 young people getting support with employment and careers, 188 young people accessing wellbeing support and 300 young people taking part in youth and community work.

Taken together, these numbers aren’t just data, they represent real young people at different points in their journey. Some are just starting to think about what comes next. Some are rebuilding confidence. Others are finding their next step into work or training. It all adds up to one thing: support that meets young people where they are.

Andy also said:

“ Over many years, our Ambassadors have made a commitment to consistently show up for young people here in Suffolk, and it was important that the team and I were able to share with them firsthand the difference it is making.

Our Ambassadors have supported Inspire in lots of different ways, and we are thankful for all they do in enabling us to be there when young people need us the most.”

We were also joined by Odessa and Oscar, two young people who use our services. Their voices brought everything we do into focus for everyone in the room. They shared their experiences in their own words and reminded everyone exactly why this work matters. Having people who care, having places to belong, and being properly seen and heard.

Their voices sparked fresh thinking across the room, with ambassadors sharing ideas and a real enthusiasm for how they can support young people in practical, meaningful ways.

Throughout the afternoon, there was a simple feeling running through it all: things change when people come together. Whether that’s showing up consistently, opening doors, or helping young people feel like they belong, everyone in the room has a part to play.

This is just the beginning, and we’re looking forward to building it together.

We’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our ambassadors who joined us on the day, including Dan Everitt (MSC), Gary Hammond (GMA), Andy Perrin (Hemisphere Freight Services), Ellis Orchard (Fred Olsen), Carole Burman (Mad-HR), Marjorie Barnes (SZC), Stuart Boardley (Brooks and Wood), Simon Jay (Seckford Golf), Peter Dawes (Carter Dawes), and Bryan Wybrow (KLH). Their continued support plays a vital role in helping us create more opportunities for young people across Suffolk.

We are incredibly grateful for the support of UK Top 50 law firm Birketts and their continued commitment to making a difference in the communities where they live and work.

At Birketts, colleagues at every level are encouraged to take an active role in supporting local charities and voluntary organisations. Through their CSR Day programme, employees are given dedicated time each year to volunteer on community projects, with this involvement recognised as part of their wider personal and professional development.

The Ipswich office has shown outstanding support for Inspire, raising an incredible £2,371 through a variety of thoughtful and creative fundraising activities. This has included initiatives such as waiving signature witnessing fees in exchange for donations. Helping to turn everyday services into meaningful community impact.

As Sara Warburton, Head of Fundraising at Inspire, shared:
“We’re hugely grateful to the team at Birketts for raising £2,371 through such thoughtful and creative fundraising. From events to initiatives like donating signature witnessing fees, every effort helps us open more doors for young people who need it most.”

We are truly thankful for the generosity, enthusiasm and commitment shown by the Birketts team. Their support helps us continue delivering opportunities, guidance and hope to young people across our communities.

Across our recent survey, one issue came through louder than almost anything else: young people are waiting too long for the support they need and too often, whether they receive that support depends on where they live.

Both staff and young people highlighted long waiting times and inconsistent access to mental health and neurodevelopmental services as a major barrier to progression. For many, this isn’t just frustrating, it’s preventing them from moving forward into education, employment and stability.

A System Under Increasing Pressure

Demand for support has risen sharply in recent years. Services delivered through NHS England, particularly Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), are under significant strain.

Recent data shows:

At the same time, the number of young people experiencing mental health difficulties has increased significantly, with rates among 17–19-year-olds rising from 1 in 10 to 1 in 4 in just five years.

Awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has also improved, but access to diagnosis and support has not kept pace.

The Reality of the “Postcode Lottery”

Staff in our survey described what is often called a “postcode lottery”, where access to support varies depending on location, rather than need.

Research shows that waiting times and access to CAMHS differ across the country, with longer waits often seen in more deprived areas. This creates a system where two young people with similar needs can have completely different experiences.

Organisations like YoungMinds have repeatedly raised concerns about these inequalities and their long-term impact on young people’s lives.

The Human Impact of Waiting

Behind every statistic is a real experience and young people in our survey were clear about how these delays feel:

“Mental health services have such long waiting lists.”
“Have more easily accessible help.”

Waiting is not a neutral experience. Evidence shows:

In some cases, the consequences are severe. Long waiting times can turn manageable conditions into long-term challenges, impacting education, employment, and overall wellbeing.

Barriers Beyond Waiting Lists

Young people also highlighted wider systemic challenges:

Nationally, only 36% of young people receive treatment within four weeks of referral, leaving many without timely support during critical stages of their development.

How Inspire Is providing timely, effective counselling to young people.

While national systems face growing pressure, local services can play a vital role in ensuring young people are not left without support.

At Inspire, our wellbeing service is designed to provide early, accessible counselling and support. Supporting young people before challenges escalate.

A key part of this offer is the experience and quality behind the support. Our service is led by a BACP accredited clinical lead with extensive experience across education, clinical practice, and youth work.

Our counselling provision follows a the BACP ethical framework, adhering to the recommended supervision to ensure safe, high-quality provision.

What makes this approach different is its flexibility, responsiveness, bespoke counselling service working integratively:

Our counselling approach is personalised, recognising that every young person’s experience is different. Through a blended therapeutic approach, sessions focus on supporting individuals:

Crucially, this support is available before crisis, working together effectively to stabilise wellbeing and keep young people engaged in their lives, education, and future plans.

This kind of therapeutic support is essential. Evidence consistently shows that timely support can reduce the long term effects of poor mental health and improve long-term outcomes.

At Inspire, our services don’t operate in isolation, they’re designed to work together. This means young people can move seamlessly between support, depending on what they need at that moment. If a young person accessing our wellbeing service would benefit from support with education or employment, they can be referred directly to a work coach or another Inspire programme. Equally, young people engaged in our employment or skills services can quickly access wellbeing support if challenges arise. This joined-up approach ensures support is timely, relevant, and centred around the whole person, not just one aspect of their journey.

Listening and Responding to Youth Voice

At Inspire, we see first-hand how the right support at the right time can change a young person’s trajectory.

Our survey reinforces what young people have been saying for years: they don’t just need support, they need it when it matters.

They are asking for services that are:

And above all, they are asking to be heard.

References and further information

Behind every application is a young person trying to take their first step. Toby’s voice note captures the reality. The frustration, the uncertainty and the determination to keep going. From hitting barriers around experience to facing silence after applying, his perspective reflects what so many young people are navigating right now. It’s an honest insight into a system that can feel difficult to break into, but also a reminder of the resilience young people continue to show.

What Toby said:

When young people are looking for a job it seems that there are less opportunities available. Entry-level vacancies have dropped significantly with reports of over a million graduates competing for a fraction of available positions.

A lot of young people get frustrated with the term ‘experience’. When you apply for jobs they give you a list of perks about the job, what you would be doing etc. Then you scroll down to the bottom and it says ‘experience is needed’. That’s where a lot of people get upset and think what’s the point?.

You cannot gain experience if you are not given the opportunity in the first place.

When you apply for a job you sometimes get silence. This means that the employer won’t reply to you which is another reason why young people get disillusioned put off applying for jobs. They also don’t give any feedback on the reason why you weren’t successful which I feel would be useful.

A lot of the job adverts seem to overcomplicate the job role in order to reduce the amount of people applying. Most websites make even the simplest of jobs quite daunting.

Pros of the current job market

The current job market offers strong wage growth (approx, 4.6%-5.1% in the uk).

Cons of the current job market

An alternative for finding a job is doing an apprenticeship.

What is an apprenticeship? 

An apprenticeship is where you learn about the job, get paid while doing it but you will have to study which means going to college.

This still requires a lot of coursework and studying, which if you’re not particularly academic can be quite off-putting.

Pros about having an apprenticeship

Cons about having an apprenticeship

Final Thoughts from Inspire,

Right now, the job market is tough, especially for young people trying to take that first step. Competition is high, opportunities can feel limited, and the system doesn’t always feel built with young people in mind.

But there are signs of change.

The UK government has announced a major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for the next generation, recognising that young people need more accessible routes into work.

While it won’t fix everything overnight, it’s a step in the right direction. Because the reality is this: young people don’t lack motivation — they lack opportunity.

That’s where we come in.

At Inspire, we’re working directly with young people to build confidence, develop skills, and create real pathways into employment. Whether it’s through training, support, or hands-on opportunities, we’re here to help bridge that gap between potential and opportunity.

If you’re a young person feeling stuck, unsure where to start, or ready to take that next step, we’re here for you. YES. Youth employment service | Inspire
And if you’re an employer, partner, or supporter, now is the time to be part of the solution.

Because opening doors for young people today creates a stronger workforce tomorrow.

A proud moment and a chance to put young people at the heart of what comes next

Ipswich has officially been longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029, marking an exciting step forward for the town and everyone who calls it home.

For us, this moment is about more than recognition. It’s an opportunity to keep building a town where young people feel seen, heard and involved in shaping the future around them.

A town full of potential

Ipswich already has so much to offer. Creativity, culture and community are part of everyday life here, and young people are already playing a role in that, whether that’s through music, art, sport, or simply being part of their local communities.

Being longlisted gives us the chance to build on that energy and think about how those opportunities can grow.

Young people at the centre

At Inspire, we believe the best outcomes happen when young people are not just included, but actively shaping what happens next.

This next stage of the bid is a chance to keep listening to young people, to understand what matters to them, and to create spaces, opportunities and experiences that reflect their lives and ambitions.

It’s about making sure young people feel connected to their town, confident in their place within it, and able to influence what the future looks like.

Building something together

The longlisting is something to be proud of, but it also creates momentum. It brings people together and opens up conversations about what Ipswich can become.

For us, that means continuing to champion youth voice, working alongside partners who share that commitment, and making sure young people are part of shaping what comes next.

We’re proud to be backing the bid and to stand alongside young people across Ipswich as this journey continues.

It was a fantastic evening at the Powering Networks in The Hangar event, hosted by the brilliant team at Milsoms. Bringing together businesses and organisations from across Suffolk, the event created a brilliant space for connection, conversation and collaboration.

A highlight of the evening was hearing from our CEO, Andy, who spoke about the realities young people are facing in today’s job market. From confidence and workplace readiness to the barriers many young people experience before they even step into employment, Andy shared why support, opportunity and understanding from local businesses are more important than ever.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped by to chat, learn more about Inspire, and show their support for the work we do with young people across the region.

A special thank you as well to everyone who took part in our raffle on the night. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over £500, which will go directly towards helping more young people build confidence, skills and brighter futures.

Thank you to Milsoms for hosting such a great event, and to everyone who made the evening such a success. We’re proud to be part of such a supportive local business community.

We’re absolutely delighted to share that Inspire has been chosen as Charity of the Year by Orwell Park School! This is such an incredible honour, and we are truly grateful to the whole school community for their support.

Being named charity of the year means so much, it gives us the chance to work closely with students, staff, and families to raise awareness and vital funds for young people across Suffolk. Their generosity and enthusiasm will help us continue to deliver our programmes, empowering young people to grow, thrive, and make their voices heard.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Orwell Park School for believing in our mission. We’re excited to celebrate this partnership and can’t wait to see all the amazing things we’ll achieve together!

Voice Notes: Education, employment and training, the barriers.

Last year, we had a few questions for young people about work and training. We wanted to hear directly from them about the challenges they face and what support makes a real difference.

What Young People Told Us:

Young people overwhelmingly identified emotional and mental health challenges as the main barriers to participating in work or training. Common difficulties included:

Our youth workers see these same patterns in their day-to-day work, identifying anxiety, low confidence, and lack of workplace readiness as the most common barriers.


“People need to understand I’m not being lazy — my anxiety just won’t let me move on.”

What Research Tells Us

Our findings align with broader evidence showing that mental health and labour market transitions are tightly linked for young people:

Young people’s mental health in the workplace – A UK report from the Institute for Employment Studies found mental health conditions are common among young workers and often go undisclosed due to discomfort, while many leave or consider leaving jobs due to impacts on wellbeing.

Youth Employment UK’s Youth Voice Census notes anxiety is a top barrier to finding work and that mental health issues are closely associated with transitions into work and training.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation research highlights that young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) experience higher rates of anxiety and mental health‑related barriers than their peers in work or education.

Young People Are Being Left Behind

Young people’s challenges are also reflected in broader UK labour market trends:

Official data show that nearly 1 million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET). A figure that has been rising in recent years, highlighting structural barriers that include mental health and confidence.

These figures show the importance of not only addressing practical barriers like job skills and experience, but also emotional and mental wellbeing which young people themselves say they are deeply connected to their ability to engage with employment and training.

Misinterpreting Disengagement

Many young people shared that their struggles are often misunderstood as a lack of motivation, when in reality they are coping with pressure, anxiety, and past negative experiences.


“I say I can’t and they hear ‘I won’t.’”

By listening carefully to young people, we can better adapt support. Not just around skills and job readiness, but emotional and psychological safety, too.

Take Action

At Inspire, we work directly with young people to provide personalised support, guidance, and opportunities in education, training, and employment. If you’re a young person looking for help, or know someone who is, we’re here to listen and make a difference.

Get in touch today: info@inspirecharityuk.org or click the Refer button at the top of the page!

Voice Notes: Toby on Life Online

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had Toby join us at Inspire for work experience. As part of his time with us, we asked him to explore a topic that affects almost every young person today. Internet use, social media and life on our phones.

With Safer Internet Day prompting national conversations about smartphones, online safety and AI, it felt like the right moment to ask a simple question: what do young people actually think?

Rather than filling this space with adult opinions or statistics, we challenged Toby to write about digital life in a way young people would understand. No jargon. No lectures. Just honest reflections on what it’s really like growing up online.

This piece is part of our new blog series, Voice Notes; a space for young people to share their perspectives in their own words. Real experiences. Real opinions. Real voices.

Here’s what Toby had to say:

Social media is running the world. Recently with Facebook, snapchat and TikTok, the average screen time for for teenagers is between 7 to 9 hours a day. Most teenagers are addicted to social media which can affect their mental health.

Technology is getting more powerful by the year with new things like Grok, Chat GPT and other AI. Which can be a good thing, but does have a flip side.

Technology has some benefits like finding out things, research, speaking to friends etc. It can be very useful for lots of different things. However, the internet can also be very scary. With social media you have so many people using it for different things, and not always good things. Also what you put on the internet is there forever and what you post could affect your life in the future.

The questions is; how long should I spend on my phone/technology?

Using social media can affect people sleep, education, physical health, and relationships. Which sometimes leads to bad mental health.

Many young people are wanting breaks from social media and technology but find it hard to switch off and get off their phone. Young people often end up seeing stuff like extreme body standards, cyberbullying, online peer pressure and harmful content.

Taking a break is useful because around 17% of young people feel digital life has a negative impact on their  mental health, particularly as they get older.

Putting your phone away before going to bed can help with sleep. You should aim to get off your phone at least 1 hour before bed. Instead of going on your phone you could read a book, do some drawing or talk to the people you live with.

Phones and apps are designed to hold your attention with notifications, endless feeds and ads. Recommendations are built into platforms on purpose.

You can control this by turning off notifications, having time limits on certain apps or choosing apps that only make you feel positive.

Across the UK, the government is reviewing how phones, social media and AI affect children and young people. This may include having strict age limits on apps, platform design and online safety.

Your phone is here to serve you, you are not here to serve your phone.

We are incredibly grateful to Pound Gates for choosing Inspire as their Charity of the Year for 2026. This partnership means a great deal to us and to the young people we work with across Suffolk.

The partnership began in the best possible way with The Whopping Big Quiz of the Year 2025, held in the hangar at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. With 29 teams filling the room, the evening was full of energy, friendly competition and plenty of laughter.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who took part, £2,035 was raised on the night for Inspire. Pound Gates then matched this amount, bringing the total raised to an amazing £4,070. Support like this helps us continue creating safe spaces, building trusted relationships and giving young people across Suffolk the chance to feel heard, valued and believed in.

We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Pound Gates for their generosity and belief in Inspire, to Milsoms Kesgrave Hall for hosting such a fantastic evening, and to all the businesses, teams and individuals who donated prizes, entered teams and supported the event.

This quiz night was just the beginning of what we hope will be a brilliant year working together. We are excited to see what 2026 brings and the difference this partnership will make for young people across Suffolk.

If you would like to find out more about Inspire, follow our journey or explore how you or your organisation could get involved, you can visit Get Involved to Raise Vital Funds | Inspire or follow us on social media. Every bit of support helps us reach more young people and continue doing what we do best.

Putting young people at the heart of our town’s future.

Ipswich is a town full of creativity, culture and community spirit. From grassroots activity to established cultural organisations, there is already so much happening that brings people together and gives the town its character.

The UK City of Culture bid offers an opportunity to build on that energy and, importantly, to think about how the future of Ipswich can be shaped with young people, not just for them.

At Inspire, we believe the strongest communities are created when young people are listened to and involved. The themes behind the bid closely reflect what young people tell us matters most: feeling connected to where they live, having access to spaces that feel welcoming and safe, and knowing their ideas and experiences count.

Andy Crump, CEO of Inspire, shared his support for the bid and the wider opportunity it creates for the town:

“This is a chance to bring people together around a shared pride in Ipswich and to create a joined up vision for the town, driven by young people.”

The bid itself creates space for conversation, collaboration and imagination across the town. It gives Ipswich a platform to celebrate what already exists here and to think confidently about how culture, creativity and community can continue to grow, with young people playing a central role in shaping what comes next.

For us, that means continuing to champion youth voice, supporting young people to share their ideas and experiences, and working alongside partners who believe that culture, community and opportunity should be accessible to everyone.

We’re proud to be backing the bid and to stand alongside those who want to see young people playing a meaningful role in shaping the future of Ipswich.

After two decades of incredible leadership, Inspire’s Chief Executive Terry Baxter has retired, marking the end of an extraordinary chapter in the charity’s history.

Terry has been at the heart of Inspire since its very beginning. From those early days, through periods of growth and challenge, his focus has remained constant: putting young people at the centre of everything Inspire does.

During his time as CEO, Terry guided the organisation through times of significant change. From the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis to the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic, his calm, values-driven leadership ensured Inspire continued to support young people when they needed it most.

Reflecting on Terry’s impact, Terry Hunt, Chair of Inspire, said:

“Terry should be very proud of his incredible leadership of Inspire, taking the charity from a tough start to the robust, important organisation of today. Thousands of young lives have been transformed as a result.”

That legacy is reflected not only in the strength of the organisation today, but in the thousands of young people whose lives have been changed through Inspire’s work over the past 20 years.

Terry himself has spoken of the privilege it has been to lead the charity, consistently recognising the dedication and passion of Inspire’s staff, volunteers and partners in making that impact possible.

As Terry steps into retirement, his contribution to Inspire will not be forgotten. His vision, commitment and belief in young people have shaped the organisation into the thriving, trusted charity it is today.

Looking ahead, Andy Crump, CEO of Inspire, paid tribute to Terry’s leadership and lasting influence:

“Terry’s leadership has shaped Inspire through every challenge and every success. It’s a privilege to take the next chapter forward, built on his belief in people, purpose, and a commitment to lasting change for the children and young people we support.

Terry gave me an opportunity long before I deserved one. I was one of those young people lacking direction, and he believed in me before I believed in myself. That belief has shaped who I am, and it’s shaped Inspire into the organisation we are today’’.

Everyone at Inspire would like to extend their deepest thanks to Terry for his remarkable service and unwavering commitment over two decades. We wish him every happiness in his retirement and thank him for the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

We’re thrilled to be raffling a fully restored 1974 Honda CB500 with a very special story behind it.

It’s not just any bike – it’s a project that started out of friendship and loss, with every ticket sold helping young people across Suffolk.

The bike was rebuilt by Jack Taylor in memory of his friend Harley George Snowling, who sadly passed away in 2020. Jack poured his time and expertise into bringing it back to life (bikes were a passion they shared). It definitely wasn’t easy – there were engine setbacks, technical headaches, and plenty of moments that could have stopped the project altogether. But the result was worth it. The result – one-of-a-kind bike – boasts a clean vintage style, modern upgrades, and a real attention to detail that is testament to Jack’s determination to see the project through and create something Harley would love.

Every ticket for the raffle on Raffall helps us continue the work we do with young people, from counselling and youth support to career guidance. For the person who wins, it’s a chance to ride away on a classic CB500. For everyone else, it’s a way to support local young people at a time when they really need it.

The bike is on show in all its glory in the photos above. It’s a real labour of love, and a chance to do something good while enjoying a piece of motorcycling history.

The raffle runs until Sunday 31 January 2026. Get your ticket, support young people, and maybe be the lucky person to take this incredible CB500 home.

👉 Get your ticket here

We’re still buzzing from the incredible night we shared at this year’s Inspire Charity Ball. Held at the beautiful Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall, the evening was filled with generosity, celebration and a wonderful sense of community spirit. And thanks to everyone who joined us, we raised nearly £50,000 to support young people across Suffolk. We honestly couldn’t be more grateful.

A Community Coming Together

As our CEO, Andy Crump, shared on the night:
“The Charity Ball was a truly special evening and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when our community comes together. Raising nearly £50,000 in one night is an incredible achievement and will make a real, tangible difference to the lives of young people across Suffolk. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who supported the event, from our sponsors and donors to every single person who joined us on the night.”

And it really was a room full of community, business leaders from across Suffolk, long-standing supporters, generous donors and new friends eager to get involved. Together, you made the night what it was.

Auctions, Magic & Music

Our fundraising programme was packed from start to finish, with a live auction, silent auction and gift tree. All fuelled by the generosity of local businesses and prize donors.
During dinner, guests were treated to close-up magic from the brilliant Sean Goodman, followed by dancing late into the night with The Invisible Band.
The whole evening was expertly steered by Simon Jay, who somehow managed to be MC, comedian and auctioneer all at once. Keeping the energy sky-high while doing it!

Honouring Young People at the Heart of Inspire

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when we welcomed Rosie, a young person Inspire has supported, who joined us as a VIP guest with her mum and sister. Hearing firsthand how Inspire has helped her reminded everyone in the room why this event matters so much.

Rosie shared:
“I felt a lot better, better about myself. I felt better about the way things are.”

Her mum, Steph, added:
“It’s definitely helped us all out of a dark place and a really difficult situation. We’ve got a lot to look forward to now and things are looking a lot more positive.”

We were also delighted to have Jamie with us, a young person supported through our YES (Youth Employment Service) programme. Jamie attended the Ball and generously donated a handmade dress to the silent auction. Their creativity and generosity were hugely appreciated, and their contribution showed exactly what can happen when young people feel supported, confident and proud of what they can achieve.

A Special Thanks to Our Main Sponsor

We’re incredibly grateful to StrategiQ, our principal sponsor for the evening, whose support helped make the event possible.

Their CEO, Andy Smith, shared why the partnership means so much to him personally:
“I was fortunate enough to have people who believed in me and helped me find my path. Inspire does that for young people today, providing the guidance and support that can genuinely make a difference in our local community. It feels like a real full-circle moment for me, and I’m incredibly proud that we can support them.”

Capturing the Spirit of the Night

Our Head of Fundraising & Events, Sara Warburton, summed up the atmosphere perfectly:
“The atmosphere on the night was absolutely electric. From the generosity shown in the auctions to the energy on the dance floor, the whole evening was a celebration of the incredible community that surrounds Inspire. Seeing the difference this support will make for young people like Rosie and Jamie is exactly why we do what we do, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved together.”

Thank You, truly

To everyone who donated prizes, bid in the auctions, danced with us, shared the evening with friends or simply cheered us on; thank you.
Your support means that more young people across Suffolk will receive guidance, opportunities and life-changing support when they need it most. To keep up to date with all of our events, check our page: https://inspirecharityuk.org/events/ and follow us on social media.

What a night to remember! On Thursday 4th December 2025, 12 teams joined us at Inspire for our annual Christmas Quiz, and they brought the festive spirit in style.

The evening was hosted by the ever-popular Simon Jay, who also hosted our Charity Ball a couple of weeks ago. This time, he swapped the black tie for a festive Christmas jumper, setting the perfect tone for a fun, relaxed, and slightly competitive evening.

Teams went all out with their table decorations, making the room feel extra festive. One team really stole the show by bringing a full Christmas tree to add to their table; talk about dedication to Christmas spirit! The interval games also brought plenty of laughs, with everyone getting into the competitive (but friendly) spirit of the evening.

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of our participants, we raised an incredible £546 for Inspire. Every penny will go directly towards supporting young people, helping them build confidence, skills, and opportunities for the future. It’s amazing to see what a fun night out can achieve when everyone comes together for a great cause.

A huge thank you goes out to all our teams, volunteers, and supporters who made the evening so special. Your energy, creativity, and festive spirit helped make the night a huge success, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

We’re already excited about next year’s quiz. Who knows what incredible decorations (and maybe even Christmas trees!) we’ll see next time? One thing’s for sure: the festive fun, laughter, and generosity will be back in full force.

Sometimes partnerships come together in a way that just feels right, and this is one of those moments.

We’re thrilled to share that StrategiQ, a London-based marketing agency with Suffolk roots, has joined Inspire as the principal sponsor of our annual Charity Ball. Even more excitingly, they’ll also be working closely with us throughout the year to create new opportunities for the young people we support.

But what makes this partnership truly special is the story behind it.

From Holywells Pupil to Creative Industry Leader

StrategiQ’s CEO, Andy Smith, grew up in Suffolk and attended Holywells. The school building that Inspire now calls home. Returning to support the young people in the community where his own journey began has been a meaningful milestone for him.

Andy told us,

“I was fortunate enough to have people who believed in me and helped me find my path. Inspire does that for young people today – they provide the guidance and support that can genuinely make a difference. It feels like a real full-circle moment for me.”

We couldn’t agree more.

More Than Sponsorship; A Commitment to Opening Doors

This isn’t the first time we’ve collaborated with the StrategiQ team. They previously supported our Our Door Is Always Open campaign, which helped us share the message that Inspire is here for any young person who needs us.

This new partnership takes things even further.

StrategiQ will be hosting visits for Inspire participants, inviting young people to their London office to meet creative professionals, take part in workshops, and explore what a future in the industry could look like. For many, it will be their first experience inside a creative agency. A chance to imagine new possibilities.

Andy put it beautifully when he said,

“This felt like an opportunity to do more than just create campaigns, to actually open our own doors and create tangible opportunities.”

Creating Real Opportunities for Young People

At Inspire, we work with young people facing a range of challenges. Our mission is simple:
to empower every young person to realise their potential, whatever their circumstances.

Seeing organisations like StrategiQ choose to invest not just money, but time, energy, and genuine belief in young people makes all the difference.

Our CEO, Andy Crump, shared:

“StrategiQ’s support means we can continue and expand our work with young people across Suffolk. Having a partner who truly understands our mission, and wants to be part of our journey, is incredibly powerful.”

A Spark That Could Change a Life

We know that everyone’s journey looks different.
For one young person, stepping into a London agency might inspire a new career dream. For another, it may simply build confidence, or show them that their voice and ideas belong in these spaces too.

What matters is that they’re given the chance to see what’s possible.

And thanks to this partnership, many more young people will get exactly that.

Last month, the incredible team at KLH Architects took on the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, climbing all three mountains in 18 hours 20 minutes. From the first summit to the final peak, their teamwork and commitment to making a difference powered them through.

The adventure began in the rain with Pen y Fan. Despite the tricky conditions, KLH’s team reached the top and it was smiles all around. If the summit shots were anything to go by, it definitely wasn’t an easy climb, but the team’s energy made all the difference.

Next up was Cader Idris. The views were breathtaking, and the team tackled the climb with the same determination we’ve seen from them time and time again throughout their Big Charity Year. With just one peak to go, they weren’t about to take it easy!

Finally, at 8:30pm, KLH Architects reached the top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), ticking off all three mountains. It was so much more than just a physical challenge – it was a massive show of support for the young people we work with every day.

Lucy Godden, Associate Architect who completed the challenge along with the team commented: “Sharing the experience together was a wonderful bonding experience, and knowing every step helped an incredible cause, like Inspire, made it extra special. It was a long, tough, but unforgettable day – something to be seriously proud of!”

From youth work and counselling to coaching young people into employment, the funds KLH have raised make a real difference. Their dedication means Inspire can continue being there when it matters most.

We can’t thank Team KLH enough for going above and beyond. After mountains climbed, hours spent, and challenges faced, we hope they enjoy a well-deserved rest…. maybe with a little Oktoberfest to celebrate a job brilliantly done!

East Suffolk Council has confirmed three-year funding support for Inspire’s Youth Employment Service, including the addition of two new youth coaches. Additional funding has also been provided through East Suffolk Council’s Skills by the Nuclear Restoration Services for an Enhanced provision targeting those young people who have significant barriers to engagement.

Now in its sixth year, the service offers personalised, ongoing support to young people aged 16-25 across the whole of East Suffolk, helping them into work, education, or training with a tailored holistic approach that goes beyond simply placing candidates in jobs. Additional funding has also been provided through East Suffolk Council’s Skills by the Nuclear Restoration Services for an Enhanced provision targeting those young people who have significant barriers to engagement.

Inspire currently employs four youth coaches who work closely with each young person, providing one-to-one coaching, workshops, and signposting free counselling through the charity’s Wellbeing Service. This wide-reaching support addresses both practical and emotional barriers that often prevent young people from finding and maintaining employment or education.

The service is on course to support around 750 individuals by the end of the year due to the increased capacity.

East Suffolk Council’s funding reflects the ongoing commitment to a long-term, consistent approach to supporting young people with the tools they need for work and life in the region.

Inspire also hopes that this secure footing could help to extend the programme to more areas and partner with other local authorities and funders to reach more young people.

“We’re grateful to East Suffolk Council and the Nuclear Restoration Services for their continued belief in this work,” said Jackie Partridge, Project Manager at Inspire. “Our coaches work 1-1 with young people to help them move towards work, education or training at their pace, in their way. We meet young people where they’re at. Sometimes that means helping write a CV, other times just having a real conversation about life and how they’re feeling. There’s no judgement – it’s all about figuring it out together and breaking it down into a plan so it’s manageable.”

Councilor Tim Wilson, said, “I’m pleased to confirm our continued support for Inspire’s successful Youth Employment Service. The scheme has a proven track record of delivering effective, targeted support for young people facing barriers to employment.

“Our support will provide certainty that the good work of the service can be extended to help more people succeed on their pathway and build a positive future – something everyone deserves a chance at.”

At 18 years old, Shane was unsure of his future.

He’d had a difficult time at school, and hadn’t managed to achieve his GCSEs, though he did secure his Functional Skills qualification in Maths.

Despite this success, Shane lacked confidence, felt anxious about new experiences, and found the thought of a job interview overwhelming.

This is when Shane met Inspire’s Personal Development Coach Lisa.

Seeing he needed to improve his confidence, she referred him to Inspire’s Wellbeing service, and started to help him apply for jobs.

Through counselling sessions with Ben, Shane was able to reduce his anxiety and develop the resilience he needed to move forward.

In just seven weeks, Shane felt confident enough to complete his counselling early.

“Having support from the Wellbeing service was great as this helped me to regain my confidence again,” Shane said.

With his newfound confidence and support from Lisa, he started to apply for jobs in the catering and hospitality sector, the industry he was most passionate about. Although he received some knockbacks, with Lisa’s continued guidance, he kept applying, determined not to give up.

That persistence paid off, and before long was offered a catering assistant role with the NHS, which he will be starting as soon.

“I feel that my experience with working with Inspire has made me believe in myself and my own abilities and that not everything is about your qualifications,” Shane explained.

Lisa also noticed the transformation, saying: “When Shane came to our appointment after finishing his sessions with Ben, I told him that I could see the positive difference it had made.

“It was like a different person was sitting in front of me, he was so much more confident than when I first met him.”

Find out more about our Thrive service here.


Click here for information about the Wellbeing service.

Laya had been struggling for years. Panic attacks, constant anxiety, and sleepless nights left her unable to leave the house or find motivation for anything.

“I basically decided I’d had enough of feeling like that,” she recalls. Grief over losing a family member, a traumatic experience at the beach, and the isolation of COVID deepened her anxiety, affecting her ability to socialise or even feel safe in daily life.

After searching for help and realising most services required payment she couldn’t afford, Laya was referred to Inspire’s Wellbeing Service through her Job Centre Plus worker.

“I didn’t actually know that there were free options out there,” she says. Reaching out was daunting, but she knew she needed support.

Her sessions with counsellor Sharon were transformative.

“Sharon helped me identify where these feelings had started, begin to break down my emotions, explore my thoughts, and shine some light on why I may react in certain ways due to my past,” Laya said.

Small strategies like focusing on five objects around her to ground herself helped her manage daily stress and intrusive thoughts.

Laya share’s a moment that stood out for her, a counselling session triggered by a minor accident that reminded her of her trauma.

Sharon shared her own struggles, showing Laya she wasn’t alone. “It helped so much to know I wasn’t the only one who has these anxieties over ‘silly’ things,” she said.

Today, Laya hasn’t had a panic attack since starting therapy. “I can push myself through the hard times and still be okay coming out the other side,” she said.

She added therapy helped her reconnect with life and discover new hobbies. Laya has since started sewing, something that seemed too daunting before, and is exploring opportunities around starting her own business.  

Laya hopes her story encourages others to reach out. “No matter how minor or how big your issues are, it should never stop you from asking for help.  

“It’s okay to feel helpless at times, but support can help you find your way back.”

Watch Laya’s story here.

Find out more about Inspire’s Wellbeing Service here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s Wellbeing service gave me my son back’ – Kian’s story

According to the government, the UK is currently experiencing an ‘epidemic’ in school and colleges, with the number of frequently absent pupils doubling since pre-covid times.

Since the pandemic, anxiety and mental health issues have increased, especially in young people.  A recent study found the pandemic happening in many children’s formative years has suggested potential disruptions in the formation of self-identities, social skills and delayed cognitive growth. The changes in daily routines and sleep qualities, excessive use of social media and phones, and high parental stress has also caused a big change to mental health.

With increased mental health struggles, education can often struggle too. So if you believe your child’s attendance has started to suffer, here’s what you can do to help.

How to spot the signs

Frequent complaints of illness
Has your child started to complain about feeling ill a lot before they attend school or college? Somatic illnesses such as a sore tummy, or a persistent headache could be a sign of underlying anxiety or avoidance if you’re noticing them frequently.

Changes in mood
Irritability, withdrawal and frequent emotional outbursts could all be indicators of some of the stress that child is experiencing in relation to education.

Disengagement
If your child previously liked going to school or college, and now doesn’t, it could be a sign of disengagement. Also look out for them just not being interested in things that they normally are interested in, avoiding schoolwork or talking negatively about school more often.

How to help

Communication
It’s important to have open communication with a nonjudgmental dialog, ask specific questions about school friendships, how the child feels about attending, and just try and keep that line of communication open as much as possible.

Collaborate with others
Talking to teachers, counsellors, other professionals or healthcare providers can help you understand if there are deeper issues like bullying or mental health concerns, or if they are feeling a lot of pressure on academically.

Positive reinforcement
It is really important to praise efforts that they have made, and reward small improvements with attendance and attitudes towards school.

Be involved
It’s common for more parents to become less involved in their children’s school work as they get older, but it’s still important to show your child that you care about their education.
Young people also learn through role modelling, if this is important to my parent, maybe it should be important to me, so working collaboratively with them can be a big help.

Keep to a routine
Routine and structure is really important, even for us as adults. The unknown makes us feel unsafe, so if we don’t have a routine or structure, then we never really know what to expect. If we can make as much of the unexpected known, then that actually eliminates part of that threat in our in the threats of our brain, and makes things more predictable for us.
Simple ways of doing this can include establishing bedtime, helping with morning routine to make sure everyone is dressed and prepared, and making regular check ins on homework.

How Inspire can help

At Inspire, we have numerous programmes specially geared to help young people.

Thrive – For 16-24 years olds not in Education, Employment or Training, Thrive is one-on-one coaching usually taking place over 10 weeks. It focuses on finding out what they need to be able to confidently make their next move, whether that be education or work. Find out more here.

Yes Programme – For 16- 25 year olds who are not in employment, our knowledgable team help young people find the right track, and make their next steps into work, education or training. Find more information here.

With thanks to Laura Andreas-Collins

When Kian’s mental health began to decline, it was a devastating time for his family.

Once full of laughter, Kian found himself struggling with suicidal thoughts and self-harming.

“I never thought in a million years that my children would suffer with depression because they’re loved,” his mum explains.

“You just think that’s all a child needs. But the big wide world has such a huge part to play in it.

“When it hit Kian, he was the happiest person. It knocked me off my feet. It was horrible. We tried so many different things, nothing worked.

“Every time I went into his room, I didn’t know if I’d find him alive.”

Kian shared how difficult his day to day was at the time.

“I struggled to sleep and eating was tough – I was either undereating or overeating. Physically I felt awful. I just locked myself away and hardly spoke to anyone,” he said.

“I’d had counselling on and off for years, but I was still struggling. I’d heard good things about Inspire through college and I knew I needed to nip things in the bud.”

That decision was the turning point. From his very first session, Kian began to feel the difference. His wellbeing worker, Sharon, helped him feel safe enough to open up.

Kian’s mum explains: “In the past, people had taken a very textbook approach to Kian.

“But Sharon saw the individual and worked with him. She spent time getting to know Kian and what made him, him. She treats everyone as unique. I’m forever grateful because she’s the only person who has managed to give me my son back.”

For Kian, that personal approach was life-changing.


“I was anxious going into my first session, but Sharon soon got me talking and I started to open up, “ he said. “I’ve definitely gained more confidence since starting. I’ve come to terms with things I can’t change, and I value myself so much more now. I realise that what’s happened to me isn’t my fault.

“I’m proud of myself again – and I’ve even got my sense of humour back.”

His mum has seen the transformation too saying: “It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when we came to Inspire. Honestly, I would love to think that more parents had access to this for their children, because there are so many kids out there who aren’t heard. With Inspire, they are heard.”

Watch Kian’s full story here.

Find out more about the Inspire Wellbeing service here.

After nearly two decades of leadership, Inspire’s Chief Executive Terry Baxter, has announced he is retiring from his role on 1 September 2025.

Terry has been at the heart of Inspire since its very beginning.

Over the years, he has led Inspire through times of great change, from the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis to the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic, always keeping young people at the centre of everything the charity does.

Reflecting on his decision to step down, Terry said: “It has been an immense privilege to lead Inspire.”

Taking over is familiar face Andy Crump, Inspire’s current Deputy CEO.

Andy has been at Inspire since its early days, and has served as DCEO for the last five years.

Terry continued: “Together, we’ve changed thousands of lives for the better and that has only been possible thanks to the dedication of our people, past and present.

“Inspire is in a strong position, and it feels like the right time to hand over the reins. I know Andy will continue to take the organisation from strength to strength.”

While Terry will officially retire at the end of the year, he will continue in an advisory role from September to ensure a smooth transition.

Chair of Trustees, Terry Hunt, praised both leaders: “Terry Baxter has been an outstanding leader of our charity for almost two decades, taking it through some challenging times to become the important, thriving organisation it is today.

“Many thousands of vulnerable young people have been supported by Inspire during Terry’s tenure. It is an incredible achievement, and he should be very proud of his legacy.

“The board are delighted to appoint Andy to the CEO role. His long experience and deep understanding of Inspire and its work will set him in good stead, and I look forward to working with him.”

Inspire was proud to take part in the Lowestoft Carnival this weekend, joining the colourful parade that headed through the town for the first time in 13 years.

Staff were joined in the procession by young people who use Inspire’s services in Lowestoft.

They represented Inspire with enthusiasm, handing out lollies and stickers to the thousands of people who lined the streets. More than 4,000 people attended the event, which has been praised for bringing the community together.

For many of the young people, the day was about more than just the parade. They also found it an opportunity to connect with their community, and feel part of something, and celebrate their community.

Liam, 21, who attends the Thursday Night Social Space drop-ins said: “I’ve had the best day, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“On Sundays I’m usually just sat at home doing nothing so being out and meeting people and just being with people has been great. It’s been really fun, it’s made me realise I need to be outside more.

“I struggle with mental health but I was determined to do this today, and walked for two hours to get here. It’s been a great way to get my mind clear, getting to meet people and meet everyone today.”

Eva, 15, added: “I’ve loved every single bit of today.

“Just meeting people, interacting with the public. I’ve had such a good time.

“I met Inspire when they were out doing detached and started coming along to the Friday night youth hub drop-in. I’ve made friends there and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

One young person even designed the two flags we carried in the parade. They were to represent this year’s carnival theme of Lowestoft Past and Present.

Inspire’s involvement in the carnival reflects the charity’s wider aim: creating opportunities where young people can connect, grow in confidence, and feel part of their community.

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