Inspire

Inspire has launched a brand-new Friday night drop-in for young people in Lowestoft.

Thanks to support from Councillors Smith, Gooch, Byatt, Scrancher, Pitchers, Starling, Gee and East Suffolk Council, Councillors Robinson, Back and Suffolk County Council and the PCC Safer Streets Fund, a drop in will be running at Colville house every Friday 6pm to 8pm.

It’s open to all young people in Year 7 and above and will include activities such as gaming, pool, sport and music. There will also be space to chat, with the session designed to offer a welcoming and supportive environment for teenagers to connect and be themselves.

The launch follows the success of Inspire’s other youth drop in sessions in other locations, including Friday nights at Hadleigh’s Youth Centre and Ipswich Youth Hub.

Lowestoft also has Social Space on a Thursday night, for those aged 16 to 25. Recognising a gap for younger teens in the area, Inspire acted to bring a similar provision to the local area.

“We’ve seen how powerful these spaces can be for young people,” said Victoria New, Inspire’s Project Co-ordinator for Youth & Community Work in Lowestoft.

“With the need growing and feedback showing how valued youth clubs are, particularly among vulnerable children, we knew we had to do more.”

The initiative was celebrated by a number of local councillors, who came together to support the launch and champion the importance of youth services.

Cllr Myles Scrancher said how important it is to provide funding, so that young people have somewhere to go.

“We’re at a time where there aren’t that many facilities for young people to use,” he said.

“We want to take it back to a time when we had plenty of youth clubs. With the struggle with loneliness now, it’s important everyone has somewhere to go that they’ll feel welcomed.”

Cllr Peter Byatt echoed the sentiment, adding: “We’re realistic to understand that funding pockets are limited, so if we can make a difference in our local community by all working together as councillors, then that’s important and it makes all the difference.

“Community should be first. It’s a place they can go where they can be together.

“There are also people here who are trained to spot issues and talk to them. It gives them somewhere safe they can open up.”

The Inspire Friday Night Drop-In is free to attend and runs weekly at Colville House, Lowestoft, 6pm – 8pm. All young people from Year 7 and up are welcome.

May half term is fast approaching, which means the return of our holiday camps.

Both our Ipswich and Lowestoft are offering a jam-packed week for kids aged 5 – 11, with sport, football and arts and crafts all on offer.

Ipswich will also be continuing to offer both dance and gymnastics across the week offered from Ipswich School Of Dance, and Little Springers Gymnastics, all included in the day price.

A parent who filled in an anonymous feedback form following our Easter camp shared their delight at the extra activities available to children at our Ipswich location.

“One thing I’m particularly happy about is that dance and gymnastics are included in the day because these are very expensive activities that are enriching for children and hard to pay for,” they said.

“Them having access to proper dance and gymnastics coaches through inspire is a huge reason we go there and the main thing I really love about it.

“Both are improving in their physical fitness and coordination with the dance and gymnastics.

“They both are very excited to go participate in these activities and when I pick them up they immediately want to show me their dance routines/gymnastics moves.”

Little Springers gymnastics coach Lloyd explained why it’s so beneficial for children to have access to gymnastics, saying: “Gymnastics promotes strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness, all essential building blocks for healthy growth.

“It also has benefits beyond just being physical. It also helps build confidence, resilience, and focus as children set and achieve personal goals in a supportive environment.

“It’s an ideal way to keep children motivated during the holidays as it’s a sport that is both fun and engaging. Plus we can adapt it for all ages and skill levels, meaning its inclusive and has lasting benefits for every child.”

Book your place at our holiday clubs here.

Read more: ‘Inspire holiday clubs offer my six-year-old a safe space to thrive’

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

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

Once a naturally confident and outgoing person, Sienna’s world shifted after a tough time at school.

“I was bullied at school and I think that played a big part in my confidence,” she shared. “Then after that I got into a relationship that was really bad and that impacted my confidence further.”

Following the relationship breakdown, Sienna realised she needed to take back control and was referred to Inspire’s services by the DWP.

She joined the Thrive programme and started her journey on employment. She was also referred to the Wellbeing service by her Thrive coach, who recognised how much her confidence had been affected.

“The first two sessions I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go,” Sienna admitted. “But as they went along I found it really helpful. I’d been bottling so much up which really affected my confidence, so having someone to talk to about it all was great.”

Sienna then progressed onto the Youth Employment Service (YES), where she worked with coach Tony on finding a job.

“Tony helped me with my CV, and took me through some mock interviews,” she said. “He showed me how to write a cover letter, and it made my CV a lot better. He showed me different ways of looking for jobs, that were more helpful than what I was doing.”

With her confidence renewed, Sienna took her new CV and headed to a local restaurant. She was called back for an interview and after a trial shift, was offered a job as a waitress.

“I love it, it’s such a me job,” she said. “I’m face to face with people, I’m mixing with the public, I love the people I work with, it’s just a me job.”

Sienna added that she’s seen a such a difference in her confidence.

“It really helped me to be surrounded by people like Tony who knew what I was capable of. I doubt myself a lot. I’m such a worrier, I overthink the smallest thing. But now I feel like I’m back to the person I was before.”

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

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

For six-year-old Nessie, the school holidays are no longer a time of isolation. Instead they are a chance to learn, grow, and be a child.

Nessie, who is currently home-schooled while undergoing assessments for additional needs, struggled with mainstream school. “School didn’t go down too well,” her mum. “She felt she wasn’t listened to, and I felt I wasn’t either.”

But everything changed when she started attending Inspire’s holiday camps last year.

“Her overall source of normality is coming here,” her mum added. “When she’s here, she’s interacting with friends. Being here, she can be a child.

“She’s learning how to interact with children of different age groups, and she’s also learning to regulate her emotions if people have upset her. She’s not shouting or screaming, the coaches all say how well she’s dealing with things.”

Nessie now considers the holiday club, and the coaches, as her safe space. She’s even found the confidence to start taking part in sports, something her mum didn’t see happening.

“Her anxiety disappears the moment she arrives,” she added. “She talks so highly of the coaches, it’s clear she feels safe and happy here. And I’ve always felt I’ve felt supported by the staff, they always listen.

“I think being at holiday club will help her gradually return to the school environment. We’ll take it slowly, but this gives me real hope.”

To book on to our holiday clubs, visit here.

Also read: ‘Inspire’s holiday clubs supported my whole family’

‘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 recently hosted a breakfast event to thank its supporters and showcase the real-world impact of partnership. Held with nearly 100 attendees, the gathering featured moving speeches, powerful personal stories, and a shared sense of community purpose.

Inspire’s Deputy CEO, Andy Crump, addressed the room, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to putting young people at the centre of their own journeys.

“Support, whatever it looks like for young people, is there for them when they need it.

“We allow young people to be at the centre of their journey, we’re not trying to force them into what we think they need. That’s why it’s so important they get to meet people like those in this room, it helps them understand the environment and find what suits them.

“That’s why we say helping shape your future is important to us.”

Andy also welcomed three young people to share their personal experiences with Inspire. Among them was Vik who spoke about his story, how he was sofa-surfing, unemployed and feeling lost before Inspire. He’s now working as an SIA officer at Ipswich Football Stadium, and settled in new accommodation.

Supporters also heard from Nadia, who is currently completing a business IT apprenticeship at GMA, made possible through Inspire’s Youth Employment Service.

“I want people to know how Inspire can take your negative experiences and turn them into positive ones,” she said. “They can make you more confident and show you what’s possible if you just give them a try.”

The morning also included a speech from Dan Everitt, Managing Director of MSC and a long-standing Inspire+ member. He emphasised the importance of corporate partnerships in helping young people navigate their personal and professional challenges.

“Not everybody’s journey is an easy one, so that’s why we partner up,” said Everitt. “Young people are our future, and today has showcased how important that support can be.”

He shared the inspiring stories of two apprentices who began their careers at MSC with the help of Inspire. One started in 2019 as a customer service apprentice and now works as a sales executive.

“The courses at Inspire not only fueled my passion for learning but also significantly boosted my confidence and social skills,” he said. “I’m committed to becoming the best version of myself.”

Another young woman, who joined MSC in 2022, recently progressed from customer service to the commercial team.

“Without Inspire, I wouldn’t have been able to take this chance on my career,” she said. “They helped me explore career paths and gain the experience I needed.”

Dan closed his speech with a call to action, saying: “It would not be possible without partners, and I think we have a responsibility to continue to support these people. It’s tough out there, we have a cost of living crisis, but if you continue to invest in Inspire, you continue to see the fruits of our labour.

“It’s not all about finance, it’s also connecting the young people, and giving them an opportunity.”

Every Tuesday evening, Zoe and her sons, Finley and William, make the trip from their home to Inspire’s Hadleigh youth centre.

It’s become a journey with a significant purpose, as both Finley and William attend Inspire’s neurodiverse sessions, which aim to support those with additional needs.

“William is 11; he’s non-verbal, low functioning autism, and Finley is 13, high-functioning autism,” Zoe says. “One night, after Finley attended a Friday night drop-in session at the youth centre, we were told about the Neurodiverse nights starting. We went along and have been coming ever since.

“William is noise sensitive and wears ear defenders, so he is not very tolerant of younger children who scream and make noise. It can be hard for us to go anywhere with other children, such as swimming or soft play. These sessions have offered us a safe place to come.”

And William’s confidence is growing with every passing week, as Zoe explains: “The last three sessions, he hasn’t worn his ear defenders. He takes them off in the car before we go so it gives me the signal that it’s a place where he’s comfortable.

“He has a quiet world and he’s just enjoying himself so much that he would like to listen more, talk to people and build relationships with people. It’s a structured atmosphere, but William also has the freedom to explore, which has been really refreshing.”

During the sessions, various activities are on offer, such as quizzes, bingo and arts and crafts, encouraging children to socialise and make friends. They also learn essential skills for independent living, such as cooking, budgeting, personal safety and hygiene.

“Everyone at Inspire goes above and beyond,” Zoe adds. “They know William very well and when they think that he might not take part in an activity, they are always prepared with something else to do.

“They must have to go through a lot of planning to produce these sessions and they have a lot of patience. They give so much and make it a wonderful experience for the kids.”

As for the future, Zoe and her sons are looking forward to continuing their Inspire journey.

“For Finley, he gets to do something with his brother and socialise with others,” she says. “And William often says to me, ‘mummy, friends tonight?’ He knows when it’s Tuesday and he’s going to see his friends. To have this group of people together, all having fun, is great.”

Find out more about Hadleigh Youth Centre here.

Also read: How Inspire’s youth clubs support young people’s in-school learning

Inspire has expanded our Patrick foodbank service to our Ipswich location.

Patrick is unique in the sense that is doesn’t just offer emergency food, but also gives access to clothes for those who may not have the access or finance for something to wear for an interview. There is also personal hygiene products, washing powder and sanitary products thanks to our collaboration with Hey Girls. A huge thank you to Suffolk Giving LDH (La Doria) for providing us with the funding to make Patrick Possible.

The point of Patrick is to remove stigma for those aged 16-25 who may need access to food. People who want to use the service simply need to find a member of staff and say they have “an appointment with Patrick”.

From there, they’ll be taken into a room and provided with what they need.

Starting in Lowestoft, Patrick was feeding between eight and 10 young people a day, showing how needed the provision was.

21-year-old Brooklyn recently used the service in Lowestoft, saying: “Being able to use Patrick, and being able to grab food to live has been amazing. It’s actually been a lifesaver.

“Before, I had nothing in my fridge, or freezer or cupboards. I had nothing to cook with. My cupboards were bare, being able to put things in my cupboards and be able to open them and go ‘oh I can cook something’, it’s been perfect.”

Now Patrick being expanded to Lindbergh Road, Inspire are able to support even more young people struggling with food insecurity in the local community.

Post 16 Project manager Jackie Partridge said: “We’ve seen first hand how having a resource like Patrick helps young people who need it, and how important it is for us to expand this service.

“Patrick goes beyond just giving out food. It allows young people the support and resources they need to feel confident.”

Patrick is available to 16-25 year olds in the local area that Inspire work with. To use Patrick, anyone between 16-25 just need to quote ‘Patrick’ at our reception and the staff will help. Due to funding, we will need each individual to give us basic details so we can record how successful Patrick has been to retain future funding.

At 17, Billy found himself in a vicious cycle. Despite his happy upbringing, he fell in with the wrong crowd and started experimenting with drugs.

It wasn’t long before he’d progressed to daily cocaine usage, and turned to selling drugs to fund his habit.

After a year, he decided he couldn’t carry on with that lifestyle. With his mental and physical health declining, he broke down to his parents and asked them to help him, and that’s where they found Inspire.

Billy’s goal was to find employment, but the last year had taken a toll on his confidence and social skills, and he didn’t know where to start.

That’s when he joined one of our Personal Development Programmes which focused on building his self-worth and gaining work experience. It also included a residential trip that took him away from the crowd he was involved in. For Billy, it provided the first stage in turning his life around.

“Coming to Inspire was a key stepping stone in sorting myself out and getting my life on track,” he said. “As soon as I started coming here, I changed. It changed so many little things, just going home and speaking to my family, I was different.”

After completing the 12-week programme, he started working with Youth Employment Service coach Tony to start looking for employment.

“I couldn’t have gone to an interview and show the best version of myself, because I wasn’t the best version of myself,” Billy said.

“Tony really helped me. He talked me through things in a different way, he sorted my CV out, he helped me with interview techniques. After all that help, my confidence was built back up and I got a job.”

Billy, now 20, has now been drug-free for two years, and is now working full-time at a holiday resort, even winning an award for Unsung Hero.

He’s started saving his money, bought a car, and is now focusing on travelling the world.

He added how the change has also affected his loved ones, saying: “My relationship with my family is so much better now.

“My parents have been married for over 20 years but I was causing them so much stress they nearly got divorced. My mum was worried sick about me going out at all hours of the night.

“Everything was getting on top of her, but our relationship is now better than ever. They are so proud of how far I’ve come.”

He continued: “My whole life has changed. I went on holiday recently and it really hit me about how far I’ve come.

“It wasn’t the life I wanted to live. Now I’m just thinking about my future.”

Learn more about our YES 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’

Two students from Inspire’s National Citizen Service (NCS) program have embarked on an uplifting community project, making a difference in their local area.

As part of the final NCS module, which focuses on community action, Ruby and Emily took the initiative to design a resource aimed at supporting their local community in Bury St Edmunds.

Following their research, the pair decided to create a leaflet that provided information for local support groups. They would then distribute this to customers of the Still Good Food Project, a local initiative that rescues surplus food and redistributes it to the public.

Putting their creativity to work, Ruby and Emily hand-designed the leaflets, before making it in to a digital version for printing.

They then spent an afternoon at Still Good Food, handing out their leaflets to customers and talking with them about the message. They also assisted customers by restocking shelves, bagging stock, and helping shop manager Kerrie to clean up.

Coach Ian praised their efforts, saying: “It was a pleasure to work with Ruby and Emily on the NCS community project.

“I was amazed by their creative skills and expertise with digital art when designing their leaflet. It brought a smile to the face of the customers at Still Good Food and made a difference to their day.”

He added: “They had only 12 hours across 4 weeks to plan, design, and complete their project, yet they handled it with enthusiasm and professionalism. We’re incredibly proud of their work and how they engaged with the customers.”

The Still Good Food Project, which rescues surplus food and redistributes it through its shops in Bury St Edmunds and Great Barton. They are open to everyone, and everytime you shop there, you save good food from being thrown away. Last year alone, customers helped save over 40 tonnes of food from being wasted.

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.”