Parent Jem has praised Inspire’s Turn Up & Play sessions for improving the self esteem in her two sons.
Lucas, 10 and George, 7 started attending the weekly sessions two years ago. They initially started with Thursday’s football session, but after deciding it wasn’t for them, started regularly attending Wednesday’s multi-sport session instead.
Jem admitted she was initially apprehensive as the boys have additional needs, and can get distracted in different environments.
“I was worried that others would think they are bad kids when they’re not. It’s not like that here, it was so supportive straight away,” she told Inspire.
Since attending the sessions regularly, she said the difference in her sons had been noticeable.
“Just everything has improved,” she said.
“For Lucas, his self-confidence and his self-belief has improved. He’s got self-esteem issues and finding out he’s quite good at things, and the pride that the coaches give them, it’s made a huge change.
“Before, if Lucas had been gotten out [in a game], he would have stormed out but now, he’s different. His self-esteem and belief has come a long way that even school have noticed it.”
She continued: “I stopped taking them for a little while when things in my personal life got hard, and they started to get riled up again.
“We decided to come back and [sports development coach] Mark just cooled George off completely.
“It took us about 5 sessions of coming again, and they had cooled right back down again to the point where every week, Mark, [project coordinator] Mo and [sports coach] Ashleigh were all saying Lucas is a completely different kid.
“The kids absolutely love them.”
While Thursdays play sessions are solely dedicated to football, the Wednesday programme is for multi-sports with the children getting to play games such as dodgeball, basketball and tag.
Mo spoke about why the weekly sessions had made such a difference to George and Lucas, saying: “It’s because their needs were met, their curiosity was met by exploring other sports.
“They wanted to play a sport that isn’t usually accessible, Wednesdays sessions deviate away from football to give the kids the opportunity to engage in a different physical activity that they wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to.
“That helps build their confidence when the staff coach them, even though their skill level doesn’t get taken into account, it’s more about taking part and having a feeling of being part of the team.”
For more information about Turn Up & Play, visit here.
Jasmine’s connection with Social Space began just over a year ago, when she and her family moved to the Suffolk area. Jasmine was keen to meet people and make new friends – and that’s exactly what has happened. In fact, some of her friendships have become so strong that her peers stay at Jasmine’s flat when the programme isn’t running, to ensure they can still interaction.
“I don’t believe that there are enough spaces for people my age to go that isn’t just a pub,” Jasmine said. “We need more spaces, more things to do. It doesn’t have to be big; it just needs to be a space.
“We love going to Social Space every Thursday. It’s the one chance to get out of the house and do something that doesn’t involve alcohol.
“We play board games, we cook, I make pancakes for everyone, we put movies on, we chat. It’s about getting out and meeting like-minded people.”
Jenni, a youth worker at Lowestoft’s Colville House, believes it’s “important to give every young person a space where they don’t have to worry about money.”
She continued: “They don’t have to worry about anything else other than being themselves and having fun in a safe environment – we can offer that.”
The pair also spoke about how Social Space has also welcomed a number of LGBTQIA+ people.
Jasmine believes, again, that it’s because of a lack of options and spaces for young LGBTQIA+ people and praised how the Social Space staff make everyone feel welcome.
As for her relationship with Jenni, Jasmine said: “She’s a safe space. She listens to you. She has that positive vibe about and never judges you for anything. Also, she is relaxed and that makes everyone else relaxed.”
Jenni said: “We listen and accept people for who they are.
“We don’t pass judgement, rather we try to understand and say, ‘well I haven’t experienced that, can you tell me a bit more about how that would make someone feel’. Every person you meet has their own unique story.”
Social Space currently runs at Colville House in Lowestoft on Thursdays from 5pm – 8pm. Find out more about Social Space here.
Before using Inspire’s Youth Employment Service, Chantelle was being held back by her anxiety.
The 24-year-old was referred to the programme by the Department of Work and Pensions.
After meeting with YES coach Tony, she explained how she was also struggling with some personal and financial issues. He referred her to Inspire’s Wellbeing service which instantly saw a marked improvement in her confidence and general outlook.
He also set about helping her with her financial problems, including arranging for her to receive a washing machine, donated by a friend, and using our services to her through some tough times.
With this giving her the breathing space she needed, Chantelle and Tony were able to work together to address her main issues, and look for work.
Their efforts quickly paid off, with Chantelle quickly attending an interview in Norwich and securing herself a full time role in telemarketing.
Tony said: “Chantelle has all of the tools needed to succeed, she just needed a little support to get where she needs to go.”
“Inspire have helped me to believe I am capable of doing anything my heart desires,” Chantelle said. “I feel very motivated to keep up the success and to keep thinking positive.”
She added: “Tony is wonderful, he is very helpful and understanding. He is also very supportive with helping you achieve your goals.
“I have got a lot further from where I was and for that I am very grateful.”
“Chantelle has been a pleasure to work with, and I am sure that she will reach her potential and crack on from here,” Tony added.
Find out about Inspire’s YES programme here.
Also read:
‘Inspire’s YES team helped me turn my passion in to a business’
‘Inspire’s Yes programme allowed me to be me again’
Inspire’s Youth Employment Service has helped 17-year-old Shannon find her passion – and turn it into her own business.
Shannon’s mum contacted YES on her behalf, and she soon started sessions with Youth Employment Coach Laura.
During their coaching sessions, they looked at various career opportunities, as well as improving Shannon’s confidence and helping her gain experience by exploring volunteer opportunities at EACH, an opportunity she really embraced.
But it was when she mentioned she was looking after a cat for her mum’s friend that her passion for animals shone through.
“I thought, hang on, I could do something with this,” Shannon said, and from there she started to develop her own business as a dog walker and pet sitter.
“Laura helped me out with business tips and helped me sort out getting insurance,” Shannon added.
Laura also connected her with a program for self-employment support to help her refine her business strategy, and added that Shannon then took the initiative to start designing pamphlets, and look in to relevant courses.
Now her business is steadily growing, and she has a loyal base of new and returning clients who often book her services weeks in advance.
Laura said: “Shannon should be incredibly proud of herself for turning her passion into a thriving business from the ground up.”
“It’s got bigger and bigger and it’s something I want to carry on growing,” Shannon said. “I really do enjoy it.”
Shannon added her thanks to Inspire and the YES service, praising how her journey was supported.
“I’d recommend their services, [the YES team] were really great at helping you figure out what you want to do, and how you go through the process of doing it.”
Find out more about the YES service here.
Following the six-week Summer Holidays, one mum has praised Inspire’s holiday clubs for helping her son Rhys.
Speaking to Inspire, Karen explained that her son has come from a difficult background, and can struggle with regulating his emotions.
“We had an experience where Rhys was struggling with his feelings, and there was one camp where Rhys lost it,” she said. “He didn’t show himself in his best light, the red mist had descended and he was just really struggling to regulate.
“We got to the point where I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to come again, I got the feeling it was too much. I rang and I spoke to staff, and everybody listened. Mo [Alshammam Project Co-ordinator] took it on board and made changes, there was a space for children who were struggling with the noise, and a greater awareness of what would help.”
She continued: “It really helped Rhys, and after that horrible event we went back and he had the most amazing week. He now asks to go back.
“It just showed that if you give a child what they need, not what they want but what they need, you can really make a difference to them.”
Karen added that she first enrolled Rhys in the summer holiday clubs so he could stay active when he wasn’t at school.
“He did football camp for two weeks, and for me, sport helps so much,” she continued.
“If you’re going to be part of a team, you have to learn how to get a long with people, you’ve got to be able to accept failure from them and yourself, you’ve got to be resilient, there’s so much you need to get from it.
“Being at the holiday camp has been really, really good for him.”
“I would definitely encourage people to come to an Inspire holiday club,” Karen added.
“They have so many activities they can do, it’s engaging, the coaches are great. And if you have any worries about your child fitting it, then ring and talk.
“Rhys has a friend who has autism, he wanted to go but his mum was reluctant, but she rang up and had a chat about his autism and what he needed and he had a really good time at camp. People listen and they understand.”
To book now for holiday club in the October half term, visit here.
According to the government, the UK is currently experiencing an ‘epidemic’ in school and colleges, with the number of frequently absent pupils doubling since pre-covid times.
Since the pandemic, anxiety and mental health issues have increased, especially in young people. A recent study found the pandemic happening in many children’s formative years has suggested potential disruptions in the formation of self-identities, social skills and delayed cognitive growth. The changes in daily routines and sleep qualities, excessive use of social media and phones, and high parental stress has also caused a big change to mental health.
With increased mental health struggles, education can often struggle too. So if you believe your child’s attendance has started to suffer, here’s what you can do to help.
How to spot the signs
Frequent complaints of illness
Has your child started to complain about feeling ill a lot before they attend school or college? Somatic illnesses such as a sore tummy, or a persistent headache could be a sign of underlying anxiety or avoidance if you’re noticing them frequently.
Changes in mood
Irritability, withdrawal and frequent emotional outbursts could all be indicators of some of the stress that child is experiencing in relation to education.
Disengagement
If your child previously liked going to school or college, and now doesn’t, it could be a sign of disengagement. Also look out for them just not being interested in things that they normally are interested in, avoiding schoolwork or talking negatively about school more often.
How to help
Communication
It’s important to have open communication with a nonjudgmental dialog, ask specific questions about school friendships, how the child feels about attending, and just try and keep that line of communication open as much as possible.
Collaborate with others
Talking to teachers, counsellors, other professionals or healthcare providers can help you understand if there are deeper issues like bullying or mental health concerns, or if they are feeling a lot of pressure on academically.
Positive reinforcement
It is really important to praise efforts that they have made, and reward small improvements with attendance and attitudes towards school.
Be involved
It’s common for more parents to become less involved in their children’s school work as they get older, but it’s still important to show your child that you care about their education.
Young people also learn through role modelling, if this is important to my parent, maybe it should be important to me, so working collaboratively with them can be a big help.
Keep to a routine
Routine and structure is really important, even for us as adults. The unknown makes us feel unsafe, so if we don’t have a routine or structure, then we never really know what to expect. If we can make as much of the unexpected known, then that actually eliminates part of that threat in our in the threats of our brain, and makes things more predictable for us.
Simple ways of doing this can include establishing bedtime, helping with morning routine to make sure everyone is dressed and prepared, and making regular check ins on homework.
How Inspire can help
At Inspire, we have numerous programmes specially geared to help young people.
NCS – Aimed at 15 – 17 year olds, the National Citizen Service is dedicated to getting young people trying to get the young people interested in learning again. Find out more here.
Thrive – For 16-24 years olds not in Education, Employment or Training, Thrive is one-on-one coaching usually taking place over 10 weeks. It focuses on finding out what they need to be able to confidently make their next move, whether that be education or work. Find out more here.
Yes Programme – For 16- 25 year olds who are not in employment, our knowledgable team help young people find the right track, and make their next steps into work, education or training. Find more information here.
With thanks to Laura Andreas-Collins
Want to raise some money for Inspire but have no idea where to start? We’ve rounded up some ideas to get you started.
But this is only the beginning. Anyone is welcome to come up with their own fundraising idea, just like these students who took on a Race Against The World inspired challenge, or holding a dinner dance.
Any money raised is absolutely vital to carrying on the work we do – helping young people find their true purpose.
Get Personal
Ever fancied shaving your hair off? Can’t remember what you look like without a beard? Use the opportunity to change your image, and get others involved by sponsoring you!
Hold an event
The end of summer is rapidly approaching, so it’s nice to have something to look forward to now the days are getting colder and darker. Whether you want to go big with a ball, or small with a quiz night, it’s a chance to get people together and raise money for those that need it most.
Bake Sale
It’s traditional, but it’s for a very good reason. It’s low effort, can get all the family involved, and everyone loves cake! Get in the spirit of The Great British Bake Off and see who will take the Star Baker title while raising money for a great cause.
Steps Challenge
We should all be taking more steps in our lives. While the health benefits of taking 10,000 a day are enormous, the average person in the UK is doing just 3,000 to 4,000. So why not set yourself a step challenge for a month, and for every day you reach it, donate £1 to Inspire. It’s the perfect opportunity to get fit and fundraise.
Add a swear box to your workplace
Do you work somewhere where the language is a bit blue and could do with some cleaning up? Why not add a swear box with a list of fines for all the bad words used.
Give something up
Got a terrible energy drink habit? Absolute fiend for a lunchtime chocolate bar? Try giving up a vice for a month, and donate the money you would have spent? Good for you, and good for charity!
Why Inspire?
Inspire has been working with young people for over 10 years – and our work really does save lives.
Not only do we offer free counselling to people aged between 16-25, we also host a number of safe spaces, as well as a number of different programmes that get young people in to work, training or education. For more information, check out our Youth Employment Service or Thrive – the Personal Development Service.
For more information, take a look at our Fundraising Pack.
Six teams of university students have taken on their own version of BBC show Race Across The World with Race Across Norfolk. Their epic quest from Norfolk to Suffolk was all with an aim of raising money for Inspire.
The teams of two all started at the University Of East Anglia (The UEA) at 10am on Wednesday 28 August, and had to arrive at Inspire’s Colville House office in Lowestoft by 3pm the next day.
If the 26 miles between the two points wasn’t enough, they also had to visit five checkpoints, and travel through as many villages as possible, taking photos on along the way as evidence.
The rules were they couldn’t use technology to help their journey, so they could only use a map and compass, and cashless payments were banned.
Arriving at Colville House on little sleep and many, many blisters, the students said how delighted they were to finish their challenge, and raise money for a good cause.
Prizes were given out for the team that visited the most villages, the social media post with the most likes, the most money raised on the way and the most innovative camping spot.
It was Team Three who took the crown, with Freya Standing and Jess Cunliffe being named the overall winners after going through 26 different towns.
“We had a vague plan,” the pair said. “Day one we knew we had our legs on us, our fitness and our energy so we decided to do as many as towns as possible.
“We went a different route to everyone else so I think we picked up a few extra towns that they didn’t manage to get too. It put us in quite a good position today. We wanted to use the train stations as our checkpoints and see the towns.”
But all teams put in noble efforts, including getting inside Norwich football ground for a photo, sleeping out in the open, walking through the night and throwing away their hiking boots after they destroyed their feet.
Their incredible effort raised over £1500 for Inspire, money which is crucial in continuing all our work.
The event was thought up by UEA student and social secretary Mia Everitt. Speaking of her own journey in the race alongside teammate Josh, she said: “We always planned to walk through the night, so we knew that if anything went wrong, we’d have some leeway with being able to make up the time.
“We did end up laying down for three hours, but we didn’t sleep because it was so cold. We were right by a river which aesthetically is really lovely, but in reality the draft it brings is freezing.”
She added: “I feel like if you don’t have blisters, you don’t appreciate how challenging it is.
“They are like a medal without having a medal. It shows how difficult what you’ve done is.”
To donate to their JustGiving page, visit here. You can see their whole journey here.
It’s officially the end of the summer holidays which also means the end of our school holiday club.
Over the past six weeks, over 3,500 spaces have been booked across Ipswich and Lowestoft with children joining our Football, Multi-sport and Creative camps. They’ve been playing matches, learning dances and gymnastics, and creating arts and crafts to bring home.
Speaking to Inspire about how the club has boosted her son Logan’s confidence, Mum Jade said: “He signed up for football for the whole six weeks, but he has been dipping in and out of arts and crafts and multi-sport.
“I’ve definitely noticed a difference in his confidence. He is quite happy to run straight in each morning, the staff are there for him and he’s happy to chat to them.
“He comes home and tells me all the different things he’s been doing, all the new friends he’s made, I’d definitely recommend Inspire!”
Logan added: “I like playing Outside Tag, Tails and Dodgeball. I’ve made lots of friends and I’m more confident. I like going and playing with my friends. We have fun.”
Inspire’s Head Coach Max added: “Logan was very shy, but over the six weeks he’s just gained so much confidence. He’s made a lot of friends.
“He’s really made connections with the staff and the kids, he’s a different child now.”
Jade continued that Logan was also attending our Turn Up And Play sessions, saying: “He absolutely loves going and looks forward to it every week.
“He just feels so at home there, they’ve all made him feel so welcome.”
To book a place at our holiday club for October half term, visit here.
The UK is experiencing worsening NEET rates, with the percentage of young people not in education, employment or training growing in the last three years.
The latest ONS figures show NEET rates are now at 872,000, over a quarter of a million more than three years ago.
Jackie Partridge, the Project Manager for Inspire’s Post 16 services, said: “Everyone keeps saying we shouldn’t be blaming Covid, but it is a reaction from it. All those young people who were indoors for two years are then having to start again.
“There’s been a lot of mental health issues since Covid – social interactions are different now.”
She added that the UK job market could be better to help young people get into work.
A recent study of jobseekers from StandOutCV found that for one low-skilled position, over 500 people are applying for each role. It added that 98% of large companies use automated systems to review CVs, with only 1 in 4 actually reaching a human.
“Apprenticeships are few and far between. Young people assume they can do an apprenticeship, but getting one is really, really difficult. You’re going up against a lot of young people, especially in certain industries,” Jackie added.
“There are some sectors that don’t have Apprenticeships. Young people are the future workforce and businesses could be doing to encourage people to work in their sector. There needs to be more apprenticeships.”
Inspire’s Youth Development Tutor Jenni Colvin said: “I think Covid has been brushed under the carpet.
“Young people have missed so much of their education; years have been disrupted in their education. Confidence is at rock bottom, so they need a little bit of a push and support in how to find jobs.
“In Lowestoft we are such a deprived area, jobs are so few and far between. You go for one job and are up against a thousand others. Sometimes they just need a little bit of support and understanding. I didn’t know what I needed to do when I was 18.
“They don’t realise how many opportunities are out there for them.”
At Inspire, we have a number of programmes to help NEET young people and get them into work, training or education including the Youth Employment Service (YES).
“Our model incorporates well-being, holistic working – we’re not going back to meeting in a classroom,” Jackie continued. “We’ll meet you where you feel comfortable. It’s there to support how and when they need it. The YES service has 1-to-1 support.
“They can meet someone and start afresh, there’s no real timeline as to what the pathway is so we can support you on any direction.”
We also have Thrive, the Personal Development Service, where support is offered in the form of one-to-one coaching over a 10-week period.
Thrive helps direct young people find out what they need to be able to confidently make their next move. For more information about Thrive, read here.
To find out how YES can help, read our case studies here.
According to the NHS, the average Brit walks between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day. Yet the benefits of walking 10,000 steps every day are enormous.
Studies have found that those who walk more have lower risks of developing diabetes or having a stroke. Walking can also lower the risk of heart disease by 50%.
On top of that, regular walking also improves lung capacity, reduces knee joint pain for those with arthritis, and reduces the symptoms of depression.
Not bad for a free exercise with no equipment needed.
This September, we’re encouraging everyone to join September Steps as part of LJFitness’ 2024 Charity Event.
Set yourself a walking target that’s going to challenge you, whether that be 5,000 or 15,000 steps. For every day you complete your challenge, donate £1 to Inspire.
You can also join the Facebook Group to share how you are doing with your target, and join others to keep each other motivated. Participants will also be invited to a special event at Paddy & Scott’s in Ipswich on September 29th to meet everyone else who took part, and celebrate the end of the challenge, how many steps were taken, and how much was raised for Inspire.
Ways to walk more
If you’re trying to fit a few more steps into your daily routine, here’s a few ways to up your count.
Go on a family walk
Walking benefits everyone, especially children with better moods, improved sleep and quality family time all reasons to take the family for an after dinner walk.
Keep hydrated
Take a reusable water bottle everywhere with you. Not only will you have to go and fill it up, but you’ll probably end up walking to the bathroom more.
Walk while you binge
It’s not rocket science to say spending hours sitting watching Netflix isn’t the best thing for your health, so take your show outside. If you can only binge when you’re walking, you might be more inclined to get out.
Make it fun with an app
Remember when everyone was outside hunting Pokemon with Pokemon Go? There’s no reason to not dust it off again and go collecting in the name of your step count.
If that’s not up your street, there are numerous apps that make walking more fun. Like Run, Zombies where you follow a story to collect vital supplies, rescue survivors, and find a cure for the zombie plague. Or Walkr: Fitness Space Adventure, where the more you walk, the more power you get for your spaceship to explore planets.
Suggest a walking meeting
It won’t be long before the winters start drawing in. So why not suggest making the most of the weather by taking your meetings outdoors?
Find out more about the September Steps challenge here.
Suffolk-based Portable Space has provided Inspire with external changing facilities as part of their promise to invest in more opportunities for young people.
The loan will ensure that all football spaces at Inspire’s Lindbergh Road site can be used for activities and programmes.
Portable Space managing director Mark Dolman shared why he felt it was important to support the charity.
“We’re a company that invests heavily in youth development and trying to bring young people through,” he said. “I think it’s an important way for a business to progress.
“Inspire works with young people who often get forgotten about and don’t get the help and support they need, but there is a huge amount of potential in that pool of people.
“We have to try to get them in the working environment and help them be successful.”
He continued: “I think there’s a really important step between the ages of 16 and 21, where young people get to develop and are given opportunities.”
Mark also spoke about his own career journey. After leaving school with no qualifications, he worked numerous jobs, joining Portable Spaces 11 years ago as a hire controller and working his way up.
“I love people that have passion, drive and energy, but maybe not the qualifications or support network to help harness them,” he continued. “I think what I recognise is the amount of talent there is in people.”
Inspire CEO Terry Baxter added: “We are so grateful to Portable Space, a great Suffolk-based business, for their support in providing outdoor changing and toilet facilities at our Lindbergh Road site in Ipswich.
“Following the development of our grass and all-weather pitches, these portable units provide a brilliant space for teams to change and use other facilities. Thank you, Portable Spaces!”
The UK is experiencing rising numbers in homeless people. A team of Inspire’s young people have decided to shine a light on how the issue is affecting Ipswich with a powerful documentary.
Covering drug addiction, poverty and social issues, our Team Programme participants, Ipswich Team 36, went across the community to film. They also attended a workshop in video editing and interview techniques, and recorded the narration at BBC Radio Suffolk, so they could edit the film all themselves.
The resulting documentary is a compelling look at problems affecting the Suffolk town.
Team Programme’s Kayley, 23, said: “We have been filming different locations where there’s homeless people and places where they help with mental health [issues] and we’ve been filming things about addiction.”
Ink, 18, added why they felt the need to make the film. “I feel like more people can play their part,” they said.
“But it is working and more people are starting to become aware of the situation, which is shedding light on things which otherwise wouldn’t be noticed.”
Youth Development Tutor Ian Featherstone said: “This was an incredibly challenging in-depth project and what they achieved in just four weeks is testament to their dedication, commitment and perseverance.
“Well done Team Ipswich 36!”
Watch the documentary here:
Missing out on the grades you needed can be a very upsetting experience – but it doesn’t have to be anything more than a temporary feeling. So while it’s okay to acknowledge your disappointment, it’s important to know that it’s something you can bounce back from, and put yourself on the right path to still achieve the future you like.
We’re here to give you all the tips you need to stay positive and focus on what your next step will be.
Admit how you feel
Sometimes it helps to name it and just acknowledge that we shouldn’t be happy all the time, and actually it’s natural to feel disappointed. It’s okay to feel upset if you know something’s happened and it’s not going your way. Talk about it to your loved ones, to people that you trust and care about, maybe to a counsellor, which can help provide some perspective.
Look at your next steps
If things haven’t worked out exactly how you want, there is always another path. Is there a bridging course you can do? Can you do your course at a different level? Are there any provisions to improve your grades? Would you prefer to do an apprenticeship?
Sit down with someone well versed in the next steps, such as one of our Personal Development Coaches, and go through all your options. There are always other options!
Stay positive
You might not get there straight away, but it’s important to stay positive. Focus on your strengths and what did go well, and most importantly remember that one set of results does not define who you are, and it doesn’t define your future.
Take care of yourself
Often in times of stress its easy to forget about our personal needs and we can get stuck in negative thoughts. Make sure you’re eating regularly and still doing things that keep you engaged, whether it’s going out for a run or spending time with friends.
Be kind to yourself
Everyone makes mistakes and has setbacks, unfortunately it’s part of life. So don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t achieve what you wanted. Instead, think how you would comfort a friend in the same situation. Chances are you wouldn’t be telling them they always mess up, or that they are completely useless, so you shouldn’t be directing that to yourself.
Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Here at Inspire we have a long list of services that can help you. To find out more visit our Youth Employment Services or our Team Programme.
(With thanks to Laura Andreas-Collins)
Thrive sees us working with young people to build their confidence in a way that is tailored to support them.
Whether it’s employment, education or training, support is offered in the form of one-to-one coaching over a 10-week period, though this can be flexible depending on the person’s needs.
The focus is all based around the young person, finding out what they need to be able to confidently make their next move. Research is our biggest friend, and we focus on relevant hobbies and interests to ensure that the final outcome is the best one.
For those looking to find a job, we offer help with writing CVs, mock interviews and how to job search. We can even go as far as helping with interview clothes if that is a service required.
If education or training is more of the desire, then we work alongside different Suffolk colleges and education programmes to find the right solution, and move them on to a progression coach.
The Thrive service covers everything from supporting with attending college open days and filling in forms, to referring to a course. It also covers travel training for those who are anxious about the best way to get to their destination.
To access Thrive’s service – you must not be in Employment, Education or Training (NEET). For more information contact thrive@inspirecharityuk.org
Patrick is a foodbank with a twist.
Supporting people aged 16-25, it provides not only emergency food, but also personal hygiene products and interview clothing for those who may not have the access or finance for something to wear for an interview.
Patrick was created to be different to other foodbanks. Staff at Colville House noticed young people going hungry as they couldn’t afford to eat, but due to sensory needs felt they couldn’t access other support.
So following a donation from Birds Eye, Patrick was able to get off the ground. Young people are able to grab whatever they will use, as opposed to being given a one-size-fits-all parcel.
Aiming to reduce the stigma of using a foodbank, people 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.
Patrick feeds on average between 8 and 10 young people a day, many would go without eating if it wasn’t for the resource. With Patrick, no one gets turned away.
Many young people who have used the service have said “it takes the anxiety away of knowing I can always get food”.
Patrick is now run on donations, along with fundraising from the Team Programme and NCS students.
Create a package for Patrick
As Patrick is run solely on donations, any support is vital.
If you wanted to create a package for Patrick and create a lifeline for a young person, here’s what to consider donating.
Tinned fruit, vegetables and meat
Frozen ready meals
Cereal
Noodles
Pasta
Soup
Jars of sauce
Toiletries such as soap, shampoo and deodorant
Washing up liquid
Washing powder
Please bring all donations to Colville House, Lowestoft.
The Team Programme had such a positive impact on Jed, 23, that he has had ‘Team 19’ tattooed on him.
Before taking part, he felt stuck, with little direction. However, Inspire’s programme with The Princes’ Trust has turned his life around, given him a confidence boost and put him on the right path.
“The course meant so much to me and changed my life completely,” he said.
“I now know what next steps to take and I will never forget my time with Team 19. I have ‘Team 19’ tattooed on me because they changed my life forever, for the better.”
Jed joined the programme at Level One, but due to anxiety he struggled with his attendance and left on the first night of the residential trip.
But, he soon realised he was missing out, and therefore returned for Level Two.
This time proved to be a whole new experience, with Jed completing the programme.
“I was nervous to do it again but the tester days helped me become more comfortable and meet new people,” he said. “Over the 12 weeks I made friends and I completed residential with no problems.
Jed is now redoing his Maths and English qualifications and plans to get an apprenticeship to pursue a career as a paramedic.
“I hope people out there who are like the old me, full of anxiety, no confidence, no friends and don’t know what to do next, will give the Team Programme a try and change their lives like I did.”
Find out more about our Team Programme here
If you’ve ever wanted to release your inner Gordon Ramsay but haven’t had the resources, our Tasty Tuesday summer program is for you!
Hosted by the Porch Project Team in our Hadleigh Youth Provision, join us in our exemplary teaching kitchen for a weekly culinary adventure. Indulge in the art of cooking as you learn to create mouth-watering dishes, and delight in savouring your culinary masterpieces. It’s the perfect setting to explore new flavours and enhance your life skills in an inspiring and supportive environment.
This summer, immerse yourself in a diverse culinary journey featuring takeaway classics such as beef chow mein and chicken tikka kebabs, alongside beloved dishes like a full English breakfast, loaded jacket potatoes, tantalising tacos, and spaghetti carbonara. All ingredients are provided, and our expert Youth Workers will guide you through each recipe step by step.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned chef, everyone is welcome. Cooking is an invaluable life skill, and it’s so much more than just learning how to avoid living on toast. It fosters a sense of independence and confidence, empowering you to provide for yourself with delicious, homemade meals.
Plus, Tasty Tuesdays offers a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and make friends. After enjoying your meal, you can unwind and enjoy the youth centre’s facilities, including the lounge space and gaming room.
Tasty Tuesdays is designed for ages 11–16 and runs every Tuesday from 11 am to 3 pm. To book your HAF-funded place, you must be eligible for free school meals. For more information, visit here.
Earlier this year, Jack Bunn wasn’t in a good place. After being rejected from University for the course he wanted to, he found his confidence and motivation taking a huge dip. Feeling that his life had no direction anymore, he started to withdraw from social activities, and experience Mental Health issues due to his lack of routine.
Jack was referred to Inspire’s Youth Employment Service Programme by the job centre where he was introduced to Youth Employment Coach Tony Wilson.
Following an initial assessment, Tony thought he’d be a great candidate for the upcoming Employability Programme.
It took just one day on the programme for Jack to feel re-energised and more positive about his options moving forward.
“By the second day I had already made friends and all the nerves I had on the first day were completely gone,” Jack said. “I was already gaining a lot of valuable knowledge to help me towards my job searching journey.
“I learnt how cover letters work and made my own cover letter template that I still use today.
“I learnt what employers are searching for on CVs when it comes to the candidates applying for the role and overall I learnt to have a lot more confidence in myself when it comes to trying to achieve something.”
Since completing the three-day YES programme, Jack has secured himself a job as an Entertainments and Games operator at Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park, and has applied for college course starting in September. This will allow him to study for the grades required for him to pursue his ultimate aim of finally going to Uni next year.
“The progress Jack has made, just like his development, has been a privilege to be a part of and I am so proud of his achievements,” Tony added. “I am absolutely sure that he will attain all of his goals and targets.”
Jack added he wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the course to others looking for an extra boost in finding employment.
“I would definitely recommend this course to others as you are in a room with like minded people,” he said. “It’s a perfect opportunity to improve your confidence and at the same time learn valuable skills that will help with job searching and life skills in general.”
Shocking new figures have revealed that England has seen record numbers of school suspensions and exclusions in a single school year.
Government figures show that suspensions have risen by more than a third, with 790,000 happening in 2022/23. That’s 36% higher than the previous record, 578,000 in 2021/22.
There has also been a 44% rise in exclusions from 2021/22 with 9,000, compared to the 7,900 in 2017/18.
These numbers have a huge impact on under-privileged children, with the expulsion rates being four times higher for those on Free School Meals.
Inspire’s Pre-16 project co-ordinator Jay Wallace-Langan said: “It’s why I’m passionate about what I do. Forget the job title, this needs to be fixed.
“At Inspire we are proud to partner with The Princes Trust and have for many years. We have received some funding [through Suffolk County Council’s Ipswich Investment Fund] to deliver our Achieve programme to 240 young people across Ipswich in the next academic year. That’s for two terms.
“These students are the ones that are behind that statistic. We’re also helping those previously expelled or suspended gain new qualifications.
“This is why our charity exists, to give young people a chance.”
Our Achieve programme is a project designed to support young people at risk of disengaging with mainstream education the opportunity to develop essential skills which can be transferred into young people’s educational settings.
Students will have improved attitudes to learning, engagement and attendance and improved mental health, bridging gaps to employment.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union said in a statement: “The marked increase in suspensions and exclusions shows the precarious position of schools and secondary schools in particular.
“Schools have been managing with increasingly scarce resources for over a decade and then they were hit by the disruption of the pandemic. As a result of the disruption, many pupils lost a sense of belonging to their school.
“We need a curriculum that engages and is inclusive as well as reforms to our assessment system. The Government has said that these are areas they want to address, and we look forward to working with them on it.”
Stoke High School’s Claire Lockett previously said of our Achieve Programme: “I just wanted to say what a significant impact the Inspire programme is having with our students.
“It has allowed some of our most disengaged students achieve success and a sense of pride in themselves. The students attendance to lessons has since increased and their attitude towards school is also improving. The students have recognised they can be successful and the programme has both engaged them to complete work through the love of sports.
“We have had parents email to say the relationship Jay has with our students has had a positive impact on their child at home to. Jay is apart of the culture we are building at Stoke and the programme has had an invaluable positive impact all students, staff and parents.”
Summer holidays are fast approaching which often leaves parents with the question – what do I do with my children?
At Inspire, we’ve got you covered with our Summer Holiday Camps. Aimed at children from aged 5 – 11, they focus on activity, learning and gaining new skills. Led by experienced, fully trained professionals, children build their confidence, make new friends, and enjoy themselves.
Here’s what to expect on the day.
8am – 8:30 Early Start session
This allows parents to beat the morning rush to work for an additional £2
8:30am – Camp start
Children will start the day with a warm-up section, including structured activities such as Spiderman Tag, or can bring their books and spend a quiet moment reading. This time also allows parents to update or inform staff of any relevant information needed to facilitate their children.
9am – Camp selection
After a quick reminder of the rules and behaviours expected, everyone gets briefed on what camps are running that day and allowed to pick which one they’d like to join.
Active Camp
Features sports including Dodgeball, Capture the Flag, Handball, Football and Basketball.
Creative Camp
This covers Arts and Crafts, Dance and Gymnastics. Arts and Crafts features a different theme each week and focuses on using materials that can be found at home.
Football Camp
All football, all day, featuring drills, skills and tournaments.
Children are divided in their camps by age group and will take part in three different activities before lunchtime, including time for a snack break.
9.15 – Activity one begins
9.55 – Snack time in their groups
10.15 – Changeover for second session
11am – Changeover for third session
12 – Lunchtime
At Inspire, we encourage kids to be physically active throughout the day. There will be structured games running during the lunchbreak from 12.30.
1pm – Afternoon camp selection
Following a lunchbreak, the children are able to pick another camp to join, or can continue in the same one from their morning session. (Aside from football camp which must be pre-booked) They’ll then be taking part in another two to three activities, depending on their pick-up times.
Afternoons can often include an external activity such as gymnastics.
Each child also receives an Inspire Passport that encourages and supports positive behavior. Every time they learn a new skill, they are awarded stamps and ribbons which could win them a prize at the end of the holiday.
Days and Timings
Early start – From 8am
Standard – 8.30 – 3.30
Extended day – Until 4.30pm
Mega Day – 8am – 5.30
For more information and to book your space, visit here: https://inspirecharityuk.org/courses/holiday-clubs/
Junior Inspired Chef is back for another year! Enthusiastic cooks aged between 13 and 16 are encouraged to apply for the five-week competition, where they will be trained in the prestigious Chefs’ Whites kitchen at Suffolk New College by their head chefs and students.
Last year, 13-year-old Mia won the competition, and speaking to Inspire she described what it was like working under direction from Salthouse Harbour Hotel’s head chef Luke Bailey.
“Cooking with him and learning from him was a great experience,” Mia said. “We learnt how he organises his kitchen and how formal and organised everything has to be. It was great.”
She explained how the experience has shaped what she wants to do in the future. “It definitely reinforced that I want to do a catering course at college,” she said. “It gave me an idea of how my future would look if I worked in a professional kitchen.
“I’d love to work in a restaurant – it was so exciting being in a kitchen. I’d love to work where Luke Bailey is – the Salthouse – a fancy restaurant where they make lots of different dishes and it’s all very specific.”
Each week the Junior Inspired Chef contestants were tasked with cooking a different item ahead of the finale, which saw them work as a team to serve a meal for guests in the Chefs’ Whites kitchen at Suffolk New College. They also raised over £4000 for Inspire at the same time.
The chefs were tasked with making things such as sausage rolls, cheese twists, dinner rolls and soup.
“We made eclairs, which involved making our own choux pastry,” Mia added. “It was challenging, but a good experience to learn how to make that. I don’t think any of us had done it before. I practiced at home because it was a difficult thing to master.”
Discussing her new culinary talents, Mia said: “My skills were a bit random; I knew how to cook some basics, but I’ve learnt so much. I’ve picked up little hacks in the kitchen, like how to properly chop an onion, or how to make pastry. I took home a lot of ideas for recipes to make in the future.”
This year’s competition will be taking place at Chefs’ Whites Restaurant – 1 Rope Walk, IP4 1LT, every Tuesday from 18:30 to 20:30, starting 10th September 2024, and for the main event on Tuesday 15th October 2024.
To register your interest or find out more information contacting saraw@inspiresuffolk.org.uk.
Celebrating a Double Win! 🏆
We’re excited to share that we have secured two prestigious awards – Outstanding Support for Students at the EADT Suffolk Education Awards and Local Charity of the Year at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Lowestoft and Waveney!
This double win is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated staff, highlighting the positive impact we’ve had on our students’ lives.
Over the past 10 years, we have been committed to shaping futures, just like the inspiring journey of students like Kian. We empower young minds, raise aspirations, and help them reach their full potential.
These awards wouldn’t be possible without the support of our amazing community. A heartfelt thank you to the East Anglian Daily Times, Fern Communications, and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the positive changes we’ve brought to Suffolk.
We’re grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey. Your support drives our passion to keep making a difference in the lives of young individuals.
Here’s to more years of shaping futures! 🚀🌟
We celebrated a milestone as it marked our 10th birthday with the finale of their Junior Inspired Chef event on Tuesday, raising over £4,000 to help power the charity’s work.
The competition, inspired by the BBC series Junior MasterChef, brought together a group of young chefs who had undergone six-weeks of culinary training at Suffolk New College.
Under the expert guidance of Chef Katie Burton, Chef Assessor at Suffolk New College, the chefs learnt how to prepare five taster dishes, including Butternut Squash Soup, Coq Au Vin, and Panna Cotta. The final showdown took place at Suffolk New College’s Chefs’ Whites restaurant, where the young chefs faced for the coveted title of Junior Inspired Chef in front of a restaurant full of friends and family.
The event, sponsored by MSC, featured quality produce donated by OCF Imports and showcased the skills of five remarkable young chefs – George Hayes, 11; Diego Maconochie, 12; Keavy O’Brien, 12; Mia Burgess, 13; and Micah Maconochie, 14. All the young chefs took part in fundraising for the charity throughout their journey, helping support Inspire’s work shaping successful futures.
Keavy O’Brien, who took part in the competition, said, “I’ve enjoyed raising money for Inspire to help young people.”
The panel of judges included Luke Bailey, Head Chef of the Salthouse Restaurant, and Katie Burton, Chef Assessor at Suffolk New College. After an intense competition, Mia Burgess emerged victorious, earning the title of ‘Junior Inspired Chef 2023’.
As part of the celebration, we received a special birthday cake kindly presented by MSC and the young chefs.
Andy Crump, DCEO of Inspire, expressed his thanks to everyone involved in the event, saying, “The Junior Inspired Chef event not only showcased the incredible talents of these young chefs but also marked a decade of Inspire’s commitment to empowering young people. We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the participants and grateful for the continued support of the organisations who helped make the event a reality.”
In fact, the event served as a source of inspiration for one of the young chefs, who now hopes to pursue a culinary course at the college.
Katie Burton, from Suffolk New College also shared their enthusiasm, explaining, “I was really impressed with the junior chefs’ talent at the event. We are excited for the day that they hopefully become part of our Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts family, adding their flair and passion to our kitchen. The future looks delicious with these rising stars!”
As the first decade of Insspire draws to a close, the charity looks forward to many more years of empowering youth and creating memorable learning experiences for young people, just like the Junior Inspired Chef competition.
