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Mum Jess has shared how much her daughter loves Inspire’s holiday clubs.

Jess starting sending Poppy, 7, to our school holiday camps so she could gain some independence away from her siblings.

“Poppy absolutely loves it,” she said. “Holiday club has given her the independence and confidence to try other things.

“I was quite worried about sending her as she’s suspected ADHD and can be quite full on. I gave the staff a lot of information before her first day, but she loves it so much with has been comforting for me to know she’s doing well there.”

Jess said that the holiday clubs give her a chance to spend one-on-one time with her other children, including her son who has additional needs. The time gives them all a chance to grow independently. 

“I have no idea what I’d do without the holiday clubs,” she said. “I’d definitely recommend Inspire, I’ve already been spreading the word to others.”

Jess continued there has been so much support from staff.

“If she needs time out, they take her out for 10 minutes to give her time to calm down,” she said. “Poppy gets bored quite easily when doing tasks so they staff check in on her to make sure she’s kept entertained and engaged. But because she’s been so happy there and being kept busy, staff haven’t had to intervene.”

“Poppy is always talking about the staff, Ashley, Max and Mo. Everyone loves Mo,” Jess added. “She can’t wait to come in the Easter holidays.”

Find out more about our holiday clubs here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s Holiday Clubs have transformed my children’s confidence and well-being’

‘Inspire’s holiday clubs really made a difference for my son’

‘Inspire’s Summer Holiday Clubs boosted my son’s confidence’ 

Isobel came to Inspire’s Thrive programme after feeling stuck.

The 18-year-old was struggling to get into the career she wanted after dropping out of school without qualifications.

“I was at home, not in school or college and I couldn’t get to where I wanted to be. It seemed like you needed 5 GCSEs, 3 A levels and a university degree to get anywhere in life and because I had none of those things, I was stuck,” she said.

Working with her Thrive coach Ian, she shared she had an interest in working in childcare. He signed her up for a Paediatric care course with Lofty Heights where she was awarded a certificate in Paediatric first aid.

(AI generated image as Isobel did not want her picture used)

During the course, participants also went to visit a nursery in Hadleigh where Isobel made a great impression with the manager, and was invited back for a 2-week work experience placement.

It became clear that this was the career Isobel wanted to be in, and she worked with Ian creating a CV and started applying for apprenticeships at local nurseries.

She was soon invited for four different interviews, so started focusing on her interview skills with Ian.

Her passion shone through, and she was offered three out of the four jobs she interviewed for. Opting to work in the nursery she had originally done her placement in, Isobel couldn’t be more thrilled.

She’s now working there part time, while also working toward her level 2 in childcare.

“I would definitely recommend Inspire’s services to others,” she said. “They have so many other routes to get to where you want to be in life if the usual one isn’t for you, like having to go to college or Uni.

“It helped me get to where I want to be, I don’t feel stuck anymore.”

Find out more about our Thrive service here.

Also read: How Thrive helped Hasan find his spark

‘Inspire’s YES service gave me a different route to my dream job’

A growing number of girls are stepping away from sport as they transition from primary school into their teenage years.

According to recent statistics from Women In Sport, 61% of girls report feeling judged when they participate in physical activities, while 45% believe they don’t have the “right” body shape for sport. As a result, 1.3 million girls who once loved sports in their primary school years are now disengaging.

Inspire’s Youth Support Worker Ashley Bustos believes a key reason for this is a lack of role models for young women.

“Boys get to see men grow up and play sport for their whole career, but there’s less of that for girls,” she said.

While this is starting to change, with the Arsenal Women’s team selling out stadiums, the ‘Her Game Too’ movement, and athletes like Simone Biles, Leah Williamson and Emma Raducanu making waves, there’s still more that can be done.

Ashley, who delivers sport in schools as part of our Inspired programme, is a strong advocate of keeping activities fun for everyone. “I try to encourage girls to play with freedom – it’s important to enjoy it rather than focusing on specifics,” she said.

She also spoke about how she embraces the responsibility of acting as a role model for those she teaches.

“I can encourage them to keep going and to stay positive – that’s an incredible thing to be able to do and it’s why I enjoy coaching,” she explained.

According to Ashley, the benefits of being active go beyond just physical fitness. “Sport gave me so much in my adult life – routine, determination and motivation. It’s carried me through my career and daily life. And the social side of sport is invaluable, too. It teaches you communication skills, teamwork and the ability to make friends.”

Blake came to Inspire’s Youth Employment Service (YES) after being referred by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Lacking in confidence, he was struggling to find his place in the employment sector.

But after just one session with Youth Employment Coach Matt, Blake had already started to open up.

Alongside working with him on a step-by-step pathway plan, Matt also referred Blake to Inspire’s Wellbeing service which was massively beneficial to him.

Working together, Matt and Blake explored the job market with the 21 year-old expressing an interest in industry-related work, but also wanted opportunities for career progression.

They restructured Blake’s CV and tailored some cover letters, and started to apply for roles and apprenticeships.

It wasn’t long before an exciting opportunity in Stowmarket at a new distribution centre for The Range came up. The position was a full-time warehouse job with competitive pay and potential for career advancement, including supervisor roles and forklift training. This opportunity aligned perfectly with Blake’s goals.

He secured an interview, so the sessions became focused on interview techniques. Blake’s confidence returned, and he performed incredibly in his interview, being offered the job on the spot.

He said to Matt: “I can’t believe it’s been so long. I didn’t think I would be able to get a job again.”

To prep him for his new role, Blake underwent travel training with Matt to familiarise himself with the route and transfers, something crucial following his time out of employment. They also paid a visit to the warehouse so Blake could take it all in and prepare mentally for his new work environment.

He said to Matt afterwards: “Thank you for today. This has been such a big help. I’m really excited about my future now, but I’m also a little sad because we won’t be having our sessions anymore. I’ll miss them.”

Find out more about our Youth Employment Service here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s YES service gave me a different route to my dream job’

 ‘Inspire helped find a place to call home’

‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought‘

Willow came to Inspire’s Youth Employment Service when she was looking for a different route to become a teacher.

The 19-year-old from Lowestoft has always dreamed of being a primary school teacher, but found herself struggling with the University environment due to her dyslexia and left after the first year.

Struggling with job applications, she was referred to YES, and introduced to coach Tony.

The pair had their first session at Colville House, before moving them to the local library to make Willow’s journey easier. They focused on making a new CV, applying for jobs and preparing her for interviews.

With her confidence growing, it wasn’t long before she was offered a Teaching Assistant role at a school for children with disabilities ranging from 5 to 19, which she was delighted to accept.

“I was not confident about applying for jobs or doing interviews, but Tony helped me through all the processes,” Willow said. “We did mock interviews, and he gave me support. It really helped my confidence.

“I was so worried about the questions they would ask, I was worried about what to wear and how to act, and if I was being too fidgety with my hands.

“But Tony took me through every stage, helped me go through all the answers to make sure they were thorough, helped me look up the right information.

“I had an interview where I didn’t get the job, but he reassured me about next time and we worked on how we could improve for the next one. It meant I didn’t panic or lose motivation after not getting the job.”

“Having Tony there to help me and support me, I wouldn’t have been able to apply for this job without Tony,” she added.

Find out more about the Youth Employment Service here.

Also read: ‘Inspire helped find a place to call home’

‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought‘

‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’

The UK has reached an 11-year high of young people who are not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggest 987,000 16-24-year-olds were not in work, education or training between October and December, equivalent to nearly one in seven people in that age range.

One of the biggest setbacks for getting into work for NEET young people is mental health issues, with over a third saying they are being held back by struggles such as anxiety.

At Inspire, we work holistically, with all our post-16 services linked together and able to work alongside each other.

A young person can come in and use our Youth Employment Service, then if they have mental health struggles, they can also use our wellbeing service.

Post-16 Project Manager Jackie Partridge revealed our YES service supported over 700 young people in Suffolk in 2024, but there’s plenty happening to ensure we can help as many people as possible.

For example, Inspire’s ongoing partnership with Sizewell C has shown how businesses can create change. A recent career event at their Leiston venue saw three people apply for internships they wouldn’t previously have had access to.

We’ve also worked alongside GMA Warehousing with their internship opportunities, seeing numerous young people start their careers with the company.

With Jackie adding that certain sectors don’t have any opportunities, it would be amazing for more businesses to get involved in opening doors and changing the lives of young people.

“Over 2024 we’ve supported a lot of young people, but we can only do so much without the wider community also doing more to offer opportunities for young people,” Jackie continued.

Find out more about our YES service here.

Also read: ‘Inspire gave me the confidence to realise my my full potential’

‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought’

‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’

Inspire recently held our first career event with Sizewell C as part of our ongoing partnership.

We had the incredible opportunity to take a group of young people currently using our Youth Employment Service to a site visit in Leiston, for a unique Insight Day.

During the visit, the group met several Sizewell C employees to learn about their stories and career paths. They also heard about the ongoing Sizewell C project, and the career opportunities available.  

This was followed by a tour of the site, where the new power station will stand.

The visit proved impactful, with three young people applying for apprenticeships currently on offer at Sizewell C.

Jack Raven, Sizewell’s Regional Development Project Manager, explained why our partnership was so important.

“It’s so good to have a long-term partnership with Inspire,” he said. “This is our local community, and we want to work with them. Our goal is to have at least a third of the workforce to come from the local area, and to exceed that if we can.

“The people Inspire work with don’t often come to us automatically, so it’s great to be able to work together and connect with people who we think will have really good careers here.”

Inspire’s Deputy CEO Andy Crump added: “Our partnership with Sizewell C is all about creating real opportunities for young people, and this Insight Day was a perfect example of that in action.

“By giving students firsthand experience of the industry, we’re not just informing them—we’re inspiring them to take the next step.

“It’s incredible to see that three young people have already applied for apprenticeships as a direct result of seeing the project and meeting the team behind it. We’re proud of our partnership with the Sizewell C team and the opportunity to open even more doors for young people.”

Mum Nicole has praised Inspire’s holiday clubs for how they’ve supported her three children.

Her daughters Maisie, 11 and Maddison, 9 have been attending our camps for the last four years, with their younger sister Daisy, 5, joining them for the first time at Christmas.

“I can’t go without Inspire,” Nicole said.

“They love it, you always hear them talking about what they’ve done in the day, it’s always so positive. They get more excited going there than going to a play area, they can’t wait to go back.”

Adding why she thinks her children get so excited to go, she added: “I think it’s the staff, the whole crew make it fun for them.

“I don’t think people realise how important it is to keep children busy and socialising over the holidays, and how much it helps parents in the school breaks. And with the range of ages with my children, it’s great they can all go to the same place.”

Nicole continued she was initially worried about sending her daughters to a holiday club, as one of them has ADHD, and she was unsure how she would cope in a new environment.

“She was supported in the environment, she does so many activities and the staff are great at dealing with her if she’s struggling,” Nicole said.

“They keep her calm, keep her relaxed and if there’s a problem they deal with it straight away.”

She also shared the effect the camps have had on another daughter who was dealing with confidence issues after a difficult time at school.

“Camps have really upped her confidence, and you can really see the difference in her.

“She would never have done dance before, and now she absolutely loves it. Her confidence has been improved so much. Inspire gives her a challenge and she thrives on doing it.”

“I don’t know what these kids would do without Inspire,” she said.

Mo Alshammam, Project Co-ordinator (Holiday Clubs & Sport) added: “We look beyond a child’s needs, we also look at the families needs and how we can support them in a holistic way, so that our support continues outside Inspire.

“When they leave Inspire, what we’ve given them should carry in to their every day life.”

To find out more about our holiday clubs, click here.

Also read: ‘You need the right place for children – and that’s what Inspire offers’

‘Inspire’s holiday clubs really made a difference for my son’

‘Inspire’s Summer Holiday Clubs boosted my son’s confidence’ 

When Hasan, 17, came to the Thrive service, he felt like he had no other options.

He’d previously been doing an electrical course at college, achieving a distinction grade for the theory element on his first attempt.

However, after failing the practical side, he struggled to re-enrol and began to feel hopeless.

It was then that he got in touch with Personal Development coach Darcey, and the pair started working together on his goals.

“We spent time looking at my options,” Hasan said. “I told Darcey that my top priority was working in electrical. She helped me with my CV and enrolled me in a course to get a CSCS card.”

Realising that access to the CSCS course would be an issue due to travel, Darcey was instrumental in getting the course set up online. She also liaised with the college to ensure Hasan could retake his practical exam; he now attends college two days a week.

“When I pass, I will have the option to do an apprenticeship,” Hasan said. “I’m also planning on taking another course such as a level 3 business or engineering, to add more skills to my CV.”

Hasan has also secured a part time job working at a DIY store – something he describes as “flipping brilliant”.

“I would definitely recommend Thrive,” he said. “It laid out my options for me and Darcey helped me use my time effectively. Rather than just sitting at home playing games, I was doing things to further my education and career.

“Before Thrive I had nothing, but now I have my job, my college course and the CSCS card.”

Find out more about our Thrive programme here.

Also read: ‘Thrive celebrates success stories of the programme’

The deadline for applying for UCAS is almost here, 6pm on January 29. So if you are looking for any advice on how to make your university application stand out from the rest, then have a look at our helpful tips right here.

Applying for UCAS

Remember you have nothing to lose
Applying for a course doesn’t mean you are tied to anything, so take the chance and apply for what you want.

Research your course
Spend some time looking at the subject you want to do. Why do you want to do this course and what will you gain from it?

Keep it professional
Make sure that you are applying from a professional sounding email address. This is the perfect opportunity to set up a new one if yours is something silly-sounding you wouldn’t want a uni to see.

Writing your personal statement

Keep it short and sweet
Universities don’t want to hear your life story. You only have one page of A4 so keep to the point and don’t ramble.
You don’t need to start with your name, age and why you’ve wanted to do this course since you were a child. Instead, focus on why you are interested in the subject, what your ambitions are and how the course will help you, and why you are interested in progressing on to higher education.

Show your personality
This is your time to really stand out from the others, so make sure you are showing your personality. Back up your points with real life examples, which reveal more about you as a person. 

Give yourself time
You don’t want to be rushing your statement, so give yourself plenty of time so you can re-write if needed.

Proof-read
Check, check and double check your spelling and punctuation is correct. Read it out loud and then ask a friend, relative or teacher to double check you haven’t let any mistakes slip through.

What next?

Miss the deadline?
Don’t worry if you still want to apply to University but you’ve missed the deadline. You can still make an application but it will no longer be guaranteed equal consideration. You may find that some courses are full up and have closed, but you should still have options.

Talk to us!
Still unsure what your options are? Come and talk to Inspire, we have a number of programmes, including YES and Thrive, that can lay out your next steps and help you find what you want to do.

Find out more about YES here.

Find out more about Thrive here.

New trustee Ashley Symonds has shared why he was so keen to join Inspire’s board.

Born and raised in Ipswich in a single-parent family, Ashley now works at the East of England Co-Op as a Resourcing Advisor and has a long history with Inspire.

As a child, he took part in the football course when the charity originally started as the IFC Foundation.

Ashley explained: “Growing up I didn’t really have anything at all because we were on a single budget. It did affect what I did. I wanted to join a football team but couldn’t because my mum worked weekends, so I really couldn’t get anywhere.

“To have the opportunity to do something in the week after school was really welcomed. Being part of that and taking that through my life, it’s stayed with me. It was one of the things I was thankful to have when I was younger – and it still is.”

Not only did the course give him the opportunity to play sport, without which meant he would have been inactive, Ashley also met people he’s still friends with to this day.

Explaining why he wanted to join Inspire’s board of trustees, he said: “It’s important to give back. You can’t always achieve what you want in your life just through work. It’s important to vote with your feet and give what you can.

I want to help produce positive outcomes for the local community, just like someone did for me. It’s that little something towards making someone else’s life better.”

Such is Ashley’s affinity for Inspire, before joining the board of trustees his daughter took part in the charity’s summer holiday clubs.

He added: “She really enjoyed her time in the clubs and truthfully I don’t know what we as a family would have done without them.”

A celebration of the Thrive Personal Development Service has taken place to show the importance of the programme.

Since it started in July, Inspire have helped almost 300 young people build their confidence in a way that is tailored to support them.

Held at Suffolk New College’s Chefs’ Whites restaurant, the event brought together all of the partners involved.

Speaking of Inspire’s involvement with Thrive, Post 16 Project Manager Jackie Partridge said: “We’re really proud to be part of this great collaboration with the colleges and other great organisations.

“As an organisation ourselves, we are so proud to be part of the journey we’re on with Thrive. The amount of people we’ve worked with since Thrive first started is a huge accomplishment.

“That’s all down to the team, all of their hard work and dedication so far.”

Jackie went on to highlight the journey of Liam who was referred to Thrive coach Mollie by his dad.

Liam has a rare form of cancer and has found it difficult in the past to get into work.

But Thrive has been working closely with him to improve his confidence, to build new skills and see really what his passions are.

He went on a gardening maintenance course, and importantly improved his confidence and made some new friends.

Liam is currently interviewing for jobs, and is still working on his journey to improve his confidence.

The event also highlighted Emily, another person who has had a big journey with Thrive.

When she joined, she was a selective mute, only communicating in her one-to-one’s by nodding and shaking her head.

She worked with coach Lisa who focused on building their trust. Lisa also referred Emily to our well-being service, and got her involved with The Nest, a charity based on a farm that utilise working with the animals and being in nature to help the young people they work with.

Before her first session with The Nest, Emily had a huge breakthrough and spoke to Lisa for the first time, to thank her. She now can’t stop talking and is continuing to attend the Nest to improve her confidence and wellbeing.

Lisa said: “To me, this just goes to show that when you find the right setting for a young person, they can begin to flourish in ways that neither I nor they had ever thought possible.”

Jackie continued: “These journeys are extraordinary, and we have so many more stories and journeys to tell.

“Without Thrive, this wouldn’t be possible and we are so grateful to everyone has shared their stories, and we hope that it will encourage other people who are a bit unsure whether this is the right path for them.”

She continued: “Thrive is unique as it allows for young people to work with many different organisations that support them from start to finish. It means that no one gets lost in the process, instead being supported for their entire journey as they reach their goals.

“Inspire play a crucial role in Thrive, and without all the elements, Thrive wouldn’t be as successful as it has been today.”

Read more about Thrive here.

In recent years, several youth clubs have had to shut their doors following government cuts to local council budgets.

And now, a new study has revealed the effect that’s had on young people.

Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests teenagers whose nearest youth club closed did worse in school, with the impact being  “roughly equivalent to a decline of half a grade in one subject” in their GCSE exams.

The impact was even more severe for young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, whose test scores fell by the equivalent of more than a grade in one subject.

Research last year from Unison found 1,243 council-run youth centres, equivalent to two-thirds, closed between 2010 and 2023 because of government cuts.

The IfFS report estimated that for every £1 saved from closing youth clubs, “there are societal costs of nearly £3”.

It said: “The research finds, for example, that after a youth club closed, local teenagers reported spending less time doing homework and more time playing videogames and on social media.

“This is likely due to youth clubs providing a good place for studying. But the results also suggest that youth clubs provide wider development benefits – perhaps through mentoring from youth workers – that spill over into school performance and wider life.”

Inspire’s Youth & Community Work Co-ordinator for the Babergh area, Karl Foster explained how having youth clubs, such as the drop in sessions at Hadleigh Youth Centre, can have a positive effect on schooling.

“When young people socialise, they have a community of people to interact with, ask questions and to do their homework with,” he said. “It also provides an opportunity for youth work intervention; if young people are struggling, there’s the opportunity to support them and provide solutions.”

He added: “Having mentorship in any capacity will help with their academic performance.

“If they have a core group of people to interact with, their overall wellbeing improves, so they are likely to pay more attention in school. If they are struggling with school, it can lead to young people not being motivated.

“Making friends with like-minded people in youth centres means that school can be more manageable.

“Statistically, those who engage with youth centres tend to be young people who do not have other opportunities to socialise with their peers. Consequently, when youth centres close, it removes a level of additional support that many need.”

The youth centre, which has recently undergone renovations, also offers the opportunity for young people to do their homework in a different environment, with the Porch Project team on hand to help.

“At Porch Project, we work holistically,” Karl added. “When young people come to the drop-in from school, we ask them about their school work and any challenges they are facing. Young people talk about their homework and how they are managing it.

“We help them revise, look at equations or learn their lines for a play. It’s about showing them that the support is there, and they are not alone in their struggles.”

Jay Wallace-Langan, Pre-16 project co-ordinator added: “We’ve understood the importance of youth clubs and we’ve been lucky enough to have a purpose built youth hub in Ipswich at our Lindberg Road that which will be opening soon.

“It’s going to be great to replicate the important work that Karl and the team have done over at Porch Project, and be able to replicate that at Lowestoft too.”

Find out more about Porch Project here. Keep an eye on our social media for more information about our youth hub opening.

Struggling with unemployment and unstable housing, 23-year-old Vik found himself sofa surfing, or walking the streets just to kill time.

With this causing a big decline in his mental health, Vik was referred to Inspire through the job centre.

With the help of our Youth Employment Team, he found semi-supported living arrangements in Felixstowe.

With the new stability giving him the breathing space he needed, Vik also took on additional training, including a business IT course and SIA Licensing course with plans to pave the way for a potential career in the security industry.

His hard work and determination paid off, with Vik now working as an SIA officer at Ipswich Football Stadium, and settled in his new accommodation.

He hasn’t stopped there, and also continued seeking employment, gaining a second job working shifts at the Ipswich Light Festival.

“My time with Inspire has been brilliant,” he said. “I’ve learned how to prepare for interviews, how to do job search and also how to work as a team with others in a work environment.

“Inspire helped with finding a place to call home and also in assisting in requirements I needed for work.”

He continued: “For anyone who is thinking of starting with Inspire my number one advice is to be patient.

“They will stick with you during your entire journey to help you achieve what you want. I am grateful to all Inspire who have helped me get to where I’m at currently, and I promise you will be saying the same thing if you start with Inspire.”

‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought‘

‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’

‘Inspire’s Yes programme allowed me to be me again’

Taylor found herself feeling lost and without direction before she came to Inspire. The 19-year-old made the difficult decision to drop out of sixth form after struggling with anxiety and making friends.

It was then she was introduced to personal development coach Lisa. After recognising her incredible talent for art, especially her ability to capture the beauty of animals, Lisa encouraged her to turn her skills in to a career.

Initially Taylor felt unsure she had what it took to make it a full time job, so the pair headed out to talk to local artists and galleries for advice on how to help her achieve her dreams.

They visited David at Saxmundham Framing Shop who was blown away by Taylor’s talents. He gave her advice creating a website and social media, how to frame her pieces, and also put her in touch with George Farnham Gallery.

The local gallery were delighted to exhibit Taylor’s work, and she sold her first piece.

With new found confidence, and armed with a wealth of knowledge and advice from local artists and business, Taylor launch her art business fully at taylorrendallart.com.

Since then, her business has continued to grow and flourish, with Taylor also taking regular commissions to create pet portraits.

Speaking about whether she would recommend Inspire’s Thrive programme, she said: “Yes, I think it gives you more opportunities.

“It gave me the confidence to realise my full potential to be able to make a business from my passion for art.”

Earlier this year, Taylor joined us as a guest of honour at our annual Inspire ball. She donated her stunning piece ‘Hare’ to our silent auction, raising an incredible £650, and amazing our supporters with her skills.

To see more of Taylors work, visit her website.

To learn more about our Thrive programme, click here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’

‘Inspire’s support showed me I am capable of more than I thought’

‘Inspire helped me believe I am capable of doing anything my heart desires’

Bella first came to Inspire after a horrific bullying experience left her unable to leave the house.

Struggling with her mental health, she joined one of our 12-week personal development programmes, and it turned her life around.

Years later, the impact that Inspire had on Bella is still so great that she wanted to do something to give back. So when she started training for a boxing match, Inspire was the obvious choice to fundraise for.

Brett King photography

Last year, she decided to join a gym to help her with her mental health. After joining a body transformation course, she started boxing lessons and fell in love with the sport.

Following a 12-week intensive training course, Bella took on her first ever fight – and won.

“The adrenaline was so great that I don’t remember too much of my match,” Bella said. “I remember the cheers from all the family and friends I had come and support me, and I remember that I won.”

She raised almost £600 for her match, and explained the reason she wanted to fundraise was because of the effect Inspire has had on her life.

“Before I went to Inspire, for six months I couldn’t leave the house,” she said.

“I was petrified of everyone, I couldn’t speak to a single person, and now I have a job I love, and I had the confidence to go out in front of hundreds of people and do a boxing match. Before Inspire I never would have believed I could have done something like this.”

Brett King photography

She continued: “Without Inspire, I wouldn’t be where I am today, I wouldn’t be here and be able to do a 12 week intense camp, and get out in a ring in front of hundreds of people, and talk in front of all those people.

After her time on the Team Programme, Bella got a job as a plumber, and is continuing to thrive in her role.

“I’m now a fully qualified gas engineer too,” she said. “I passed all my exams this year, it’s been a big year.”

She’s also dedicated to continue boxing, adding: “I love the fitness side of it, it’s such a disciplined sport, and there’s so much more to it than just punching a bag.

“It’s helped my mental health so much. Not just the physical side of things, and I’ve also made so many friends at the gym. It was like doing another 12 week Team Programme, but doing fitness rather than confidence building.”

Want to fundraise for Inspire? Check out our Ways to Fundraise

Inspire’s Youth Centre in Hadleigh has completed the first phrase of its renovation thanks to a grant from Babergh District Council Community Grants.

The Porch Project team worked alongside the young people that use the centre, asking them for their input in how they wanted to use the space, and letting their choices influence the redesign.

Alongside an updated quiet room, new furniture, TVs and consoles, there’s also a multigame table which includes tabletop hockey, pool table and table tennis unit all in one.

The centre has also been rebranded in new paint colours that focus on using more calming undertones, and change the psychology of the environment. When it came to painting, the team received help from some of the centre’s young people who volunteered their time, as well as volunteers from Sizewell C.

Speaking about why it’s so important to have the center’s attendees involved, youth worker Karl said: “Youth centres are their space and setting, and they should control the environment. It’s their space and they can feel they took ownership of it, it’s a safe space for them to interact in.”

He added: “It’s about investing in the youth, we’re showing we do care and we’re giving them different opportunities. It provides facilities and amenities in terms of SEN provision.

“We wanted to utilise the space we have here, we needed to optimise it in a way that works in a youth centre setting.”

Project co-ordinator Jay added: “Since we’ve taken over Porch Project, everything we’ve had has been passed down and it’s time to redo things for the young people. We’ve made a better quiet room with more things to do.
It’s going to make them feel more valued having more stuff, we do care about them, that’s why we’re doing this.”

The second stage of the renovation will take place next year, and see the downstairs of the centre being renovated, with new furniture meaning the space can be utilised better to open up new opportunities for the people that attend.

Find out more about what’s on offer at Porch Project here.

It was recently announced by the new government that the National Citizen Service is going to start winding down from March 2025.

The programme was launched by former Prime Minister Cameron in 2011 as part of government plans to create a new National Youth Strategy.

Inspire has been delivering NCS for nearly a decade. Since 2022, we have created 1059 individual experiences that help young people to learn life and employability skills, and complete social actions.

We are dedicated to continuing to deliver an exceptional programme until it ends.

Lisa Nandy
Lisa Nandy

Speaking about the decision to end the programme, Inspire’s Project Co-ordinator Jay Wallace-Langan said young people are going to miss out on getting the life skills they need.

“We cover things like cooking, money management, basic car maintenance, looking at taxes and payslips. They are skills that they don’t necessarily learn in school.”

Jay added the positive effect he’s witnessed from delivering the programme, including young people learning how to write CVs and do interviews that has resulted in them getting jobs, or getting in to college when they didn’t think they would.

“It gives them an opportunity to learn things that they wouldn’t in school which is essential for moving forward in life.

“If there’s nothing brought in to replace it, there will be a knock on effect. There will be a lot of young people unsure of what to do.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the plans in the House of Commons on November 12, saying: “The NCS met the needs of the moment and put active citizenship rightly at the heart of the government’s programme for young people but the world has changed and we need a youth strategy that reflects that.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, I’ve spoken to the chair and chief executive and I’m so grateful to them for their commitment to work together to protect young people and staff, to share learnings and expertise and to ensure that there is an orderly transition from the end of the NCS programme to what comes next.”

A statement from NCS stated: “NCS was founded to help build a more cohesive society through supporting  young people at a crucial moment in their lives,  through connecting young people across many walks of life, building their skills and confidence, and empowering them to make a difference in their communities. 

“It is our heartfelt belief that there has never been a more important time for the kind of work that NCS delivers. Young people are facing an increasingly uncertain future due to the disproportionate impact of Covid on their generation.

“The combination of an enduring cost-of-living crisis and the increasing spread of disinformation is sowing discord and division.

“We hope that the government will continue to support youth initiatives with an explicit focus on building a cohesive society, and we stand ready to share our insights and learning as the Secretary of State develops her new youth strategy.”

SEVEN NIGHT NORTHERN EUROPE CRUISE WITH MSC CRUISES WITH FIRST CLASS TRAVEL FROM ELITE TRAVEL

Donated by: MSC (in the room tonight) & Elite Travel

Climb aboard the MSC Virtuosa to experience Europe like never before visiting Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zebrugge and Le Harve which all perfectly combine the essence of their culture with the modern features of our current times. Enjoy the luxury of a Balcony Cabin with full drinks package for 2 people, along with first class return travel from Suffolk to Southampton by Elite Travel. This is a trip of a lifetime from the minute you leave your front door to your step back in and everything in between!
Extra info & T&Cs:

RRP: £3,290

Starting Bid: £2,000

Increments of: £100

TANDEM SKYDIVE AT BECCLES AIRFIELD WITH UK PARACHUTING

Donated by: Simon Commercial & Jenna Ackerly (in the room tonight)

An incredible opportunity to do a tandem skydive at Beccles airfield with UK Parachuting with Simon Commercial a pilot at Beccles Airfield.  Jump from 13,000 feet and reach freefall speeds of 120mph in this awesome experience.  Price also includes some merch from UK parachuting! 

T&Cs:

RRP: £300

Starting Bid: £100

Increments of: £50

NEWMARKET RACES VIP EXPERIENCE WITH FIRST CLASS TRAVEL

Donated by: John Dugmore (in the room tonight) Mel Pipe and Elite Travel

The final to the Cambridgeshire meeting, Juddmonte Day on 27th September 2025 is a spectacle that racing fans should not miss. Enjoy a stud tour with Newels Park Stud along with a VIP experience for 4 people at the Champions Gallery Restaurant with first class return travel provided by Elite Travel. A day not to be missed!

Rowley Mile Champions Gallery Restaurant VIP experience.

Stud tour for 4 people on the morning of races. It’s a special place and a great tour meeting their stallions. Their star is Nathaniel and although he had a stellar career, he is most famously known for almost beating the unbeatable Frankel.

T&Cs:

RRP: £1,560

Starting Bid: £700

Increments of: £100

2025 VIP GUEST EXPERIENCE AT BRITISH MOTOGP IN SILVERSTONE

Donated by: Factory Team Red Bull KLH Factory Team

Live the MotoGP dream at the British MotoGP in Silverstone on 22-25th May 2025 as a VIP guest of Red Bull KLH Factory Team. Unparalleled access, exclusive hospitality, and a money can’t buy insider’s tour await the lucky winner.

T&Cs:

The passes include:

•Exclusive access for 2x people to the MotoGP paddock (you currently cannot buy this access)

•1x parking pass

•Hospitality from Friday to Sunday of the race weekend

•A tour of the Red Bull KLH garage (different team to last year!!)

•Passes are non-exchangeable

RRP: £3,200

Starting Bid: £2000

Increments of: £100

ENGLAND RUGBY & FOOTBALL EXPERIENCES BOTH WITH ELITE TRAVEL

Donated by: Tim Passmore & Suffolk FA & Elite Travel

This one is sure to get the adrenaline going! You’ll attend England Rugby’s first home game of 2025 against France on Saturday 8 February 2025 as well as England vs Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday 17th November 2024. Both experiences include executive return travel by Elite Travel.

T&Cs:

RRP: £1,100

Starting Bid: £500

Increments of: £100

SPECTACULAR TIPI PARTY PACKAGE FROM EVENTS UNDER CANVAS

Donated by: Events Under Canvas (in the room tonight)

Magical celebration space for up to 100 people set up in your garden or grounds in 2025. Includes incredible giant tipi, flooring, fairy lighting, furniture, toasty fire pit and bar. An event space with the complete wow-factor. So, if you have a special celebration or want an evening to wow your friends, this is one for you.

T&Cs:

RRP: £3,000

Starting Bid: £2000

Increments of: £100

SCENIC FJORDS OF NORWAY CRUISE WITH FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINE

Donated by: Fred Olsen Cruises

A cruise for two in an Ocean View cabin aboard Borealis’ eight-night ‘Scenic Fjords of Norway’ cruise, departing from Dover on 28th May 2025. Witness the impressive waterfalls of Langfoss and Kleivafoss whilst enjoying scenic cruising along narrow fjords.

T&Cs:

RRP: £2800

Starting Bid: £1500

Increments of: £100

GOLF 4 BALL & DINNER WITH FORMER ITFC PROFESSIONALS

Donated by Luke Chambers & Seckford Golf Club  (in the room tonight 🤣 )

You and a friend can enjoy an exhilarating game of golf with former ITFC Captain Luke Chambers & another former ITFC pro, at Seckford Golf Club which was awarded England Golf Club of the Year in 2023, finished by dinner in their restaurant Nineteen. Also includes a signed ITFC shirt from the current Premier League Team.

T&Cs:

RRP: Money can’t buy

Starting Bid: £500

Increments of: £50

Foster carer Sue has praised Inspire’s holiday clubs for how they have helped her foster son.

Eight-year-old F came into Sue’s care two years ago from a difficult background. Sue initially tried to enrol him at other clubs, without success. It was then that she decided to sign him up for Lowestoft’s holiday club, giving him the opportunity to socialise with other children.

“He’s quite unique, he didn’t learn a lot about boundaries in his early childhood,” Sue said.

“I was trying to get him into clubs for social skills and to learn how to be around other children. Some places found him too hard to deal with.”

Sue and Lowestoft Head Coach Darren had numerous conversations about the techniques Sue was using at home, and how they could be implemented in the holiday club setting.

Sue added: “I had a lot of conversations with Darren where we discussed whatever we do, we can’t reject him. If he gets rejected, it’s going to fuel that fire because all he knows in life is rejection. That was the biggest thing for us.”

“Darren was very tuned into his needs,” Sue continued. “They started doing a bit more sport with him because he’s so energetic and it got to a point where I realised they weren’t ringing me anymore to come and collect him. They could manage him in the building.

“Darren listens to him and will take him off and distract him if he needs it, take him to kick a ball around or something. Darren is fair with him and its built a lot of trust. F has a great rapport with him; he’s been a really significant person for him.”

Sue, who has been a foster carer for over 30 years, praised Inspire’s staff for their experience, and added how much the young boy has progressed.

“He’s been playing football and he loves the multi-sports. He’s even started doing the arts and crafts,” she said. “He’s been able to go and get the praise and really boosted his confidence. It’s made a huge difference to how he is at school because he’s been able to be around other children.

“His social skills have come on so much and he’s now at a point where he can open up to people about how he feels.”

As for Sue’s advice to anyone unsure about enrolling their child at an Inspire holiday club, she said: “I think that a lot of people think children with certain issues can’t go to clubs. They think they won’t cope or will be rejected.

“However, I would say this is the place to take them because you will see that with Inspire they will learn and they will enjoy it. You need right place, with the right people, and that’s what Inspire offers.”

Find out more about our holiday clubs here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s holiday clubs really made a difference for my son’

‘Inspire’s Holiday Clubs boosted my son’s confidence’

Debbie has been bringing her son Daniel to Turn Up & Play’s football sessions for the last four weeks after he was rejected from his school’s team. Despite the short amount of time, she has already seen an improvement in his confidence.

“I brought Daniel along so he can play football and be part of a team,” she said of her 9-year-old. “If he does then join a team, he’ll already have the skills.”

She added how much he’s gained since he started attending.

“Because he has ADHD he doesn’t get picked for the teams at school,” Debbie said. “He enjoys it. He knew nothing about football before, and it’s helping him.

“He’s a really bad loser so the fact he doesn’t always win gives him that life skill that people don’t win all the time, so that’s helping him.”

“It’s kids like him that need a bit of extra help and it’s nice he can come here and play with a team that isn’t all about being in a league. It’s just given him the confidence to play football,” she continued.

The mum also praised how the coaches have handled her sons ADHD, and how the sessions give him a no-pressure environment to play sport.

“He has a lot of issues in himself, and can change his mind quite frequently. Because the sessions are free [Funded by Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk Community Foundation], the pressure isn’t on. If he doesn’t want to be here, then he doesn’t have to be.

“But it gives him an hour, he gets to run around, he already knows the coaches because he comes to the holiday clubs, he is happy to be here.”

For more information about Turn Up & Play, visit here.

Also read: ‘Turn Up & Play has transformed my sons self-confidence’

I don’t know what I’d do without Turn Up & Play‘

Following five years of working in retail, 23-year-old Imogen found herself looking for work after being diagnosed with epilepsy.

Struggling with her confidence, she was worried about approaching employers about the impacts of her condition, and her mental health was declining.

It was then she got in touch with YES Personal Development coach Lisa. Together, they started by identifying the type of work Imogen wanted to do, along with how her condition would affect her.


“I needed to ensure that any employer that was I was going to approach was going to be able to take into consideration my needs,” Imogen said. “In the past I have had negative experiences with some employers not quite understanding the impact of my epilepsy.”

Imogen and Lisa started to identify low-hour roles in her local area, with an interview at the Co-op coming up quickly.

Despite not feeling confident following the interview, Imogen was offered the job on a 12-hour-a-week contract.

Imogen then underwent further coaching with Lisa about how to approach her new employer regarding her needs.

“I feel that they have adapted well to my needs, particularly with regards to my memory, which isn’t great due to my epilepsy, by patiently providing me with written instructions for certain jobs that I have to perform within my role, in order for me to succeed in my role,” she added.

She also praised the support that Lisa had given, saying it reminder her she is capable of more than what she thinks.

Since starting the role last year, Imogen has had some health setback, but said the co-op have been incredibly understanding, and she’s still enjoying her job.

Find out more about our YES service here

Also read: ‘Inspire helped me believe I am capable of doing anything my heart desires’

‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’

‘Inspire’s Yes programme allowed me to be me again’

“I don’t know what I’d do without it.” Those are the words of a mother whose two children have attended Inspire’s Turn Up & Play football service for the last three years.

The mum, who wishes to remain anonymous, praised the sessions for giving local children the chance to engage in sport, keep fit and develop their teambuilding skills for free.

Turn Up & Play is funded by Ipswich Borough Council and the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Inspire's Turn Up & Play football

“There are so few things to do with kids that you don’t have to pay for,” she said. “Without it, I don’t know what else I’d do with my kids. One hour of football at other places is around £50 a month, and I have two kids. That’s a big expense.

“At Turn Up & Play, you don’t have to book it, so you can decide on the day depending on how you’re feeling.”

The mum explained how the sessions have helped her kids grow and learn independently. “My daughter is really shy, but the fact that she’s here, often as the only girl, and she’s joining in is amazing. She’s happy to talk to the staff because she feels comfortable with them.

“The kids that come weekly, they’ve all learnt to have mutual respect. At schools or at football training they are put with their own age group and boys and girls, but at Turn Up & Play, the boys have had to learn to let my daughter join in and it’s really good for them.”

Mo Alshammam, Project Co-ordinator for Holiday Clubs and Sport said: “Our Turn Up & Play football sessions are exactly what the name suggests – turn up and play. These sessions provide a relaxed environment for kids to show up and play without any expectations or pressure regarding their skill levels, which nurtures their self-esteem.  

“This approach allows them to embrace their childhood while applying the skills they’ve developed through our football camps at the holiday clubs, which play a big role in boosting their confidence. Also, having familiar staff present helps children feel comfortable trying out new skills.

“Overall, Turn Up & Play encourages kids to engage in play, which is a crucial aspect of their development through learning.”

For more information about Turn Up & Play, visit here.

Also read: ‘Turn Up & Play has transformed my sons self-confidence’

Inspire has a variety of programmes created to help young people uncover their full potential.

However, for 25-year-old Leon and 26-year-old Alisha, it has also meant finding love.

The couple met while taking part in one of Inspire’s Personal Development Programmes this year, and bonded after taking a trip together to buy birthday presents for some of the other participants.

They made things official in April and since then the relationship has continued to blossom.

Leon said: “We celebrate our anniversary every month, because every month is a blessing.

“We always celebrate by watching a rubbish movie and ordering a takeaway. For our one-year anniversary next year, I’d love to cook for her, but I can’t cook so it will be an experience.”

The pair support each other with their struggles, with Leon helping Alisha with her social anxiety.

“I’m trying to help her become more comfortable going out and about,” he said. “We go to the shops together, we come to Social Space, and in the future I’d like to take her to the cinema.”

And when Leon is dealing with his own issues with gender dysphoria, Alisha has been at his side, saying to her partner: “I always say to you, I love you for you.”

Alisha added: “My favourite thing about Leon is how honest he is and how he accepts me for me. He’s never judged me; he’s always been there to help me with everything.”

“As cringe as it sounds, I’ve never felt love like this before,” Leon said. “She is the only person I see a future with.”


The programme also gave the couple the confidence to reach their potential finding employment, with Leon working as a support worker at a care home, and Alisha working as a sports coach at Inspire’s holiday clubs. They also both dedicate time to voluntary positions.

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