When 18-year-old Peter left college early, he found himself in a place many young people can relate to, unsure of what to do next.
“I was studying Business, Economics and Environmental Science,” Peter said. “But I lost interest, and I didn’t have a backup plan. I’ve got the capacity to do well, but the classroom environment just didn’t work for me.”
For months, Peter stayed at his home in Lowestoft with nothing to do. That’s when he got referred to Inspire, and began one-to-one sessions with Youth Employment Coach Tony.
“Tony helped me build a CV, write a cover letter, and we looked at local jobs,” Peter said. “But I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do long-term. I realised I didn’t just want a job, I needed a career. That’s when we started looking into apprenticeships.”
Working together, they explored different sectors. Tony also set Peter up a meeting with a careers advisor who spoke to him about working in engineering in the energy sector.
“That’s when it clicked,” Peter said, and started the steps in his new career.
He applied for an engineering apprenticeship in Beccles and also secured a place at college in Norwich for a Mechanical Engineering T-level. “I’m just waiting to see what happens now, but either way, I’ve got a plan.”
Alongside career support, Inspire also helped Peter with his social skills. He started attending the Social Space drop in, and he soon found himself comfortable to start volunteering at the youth Club drop in on a Friday.
“It’s really helped my confidence. When I left college, I felt stuck in the house with nowhere to go,” he said. “Volunteering gave me something to focus on.”
Speaking about the changes Inspire has made in his life, Peter added: “Tony’s helped me a lot with confidence, especially in dealing with rejection.
“I’ve learned how to write a CV, how to apply for jobs, and how to keep going.
“Inspire’s helped me build skills I can use for life. It’s made a big difference.”
Find out more about our Youth Employment Service here.
‘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’
School holidays can be a busy time for families. Finding childcare that’s fun, safe, and doesn’t cost a fortune can be a challenge.
That’s why Inspire’s Holiday Clubs are a great option for many parents when school is out.
Michealla’s six-year-old daughter Lily has been coming to holiday clubs for the last few school holidays, and says it’s made a real difference to her family.
“Lily loves the arts and crafts side of things, but she also plays sport, does dance and gymnastics,” she said.
“She likes that she can pick what she wants to do on the day depending on her mood. I think Inspire have a great range of activities on offer, it keeps children engaged without being overwhelming.”
Michealla added how important the clubs were to her family, as she also has two other children at home.
“Without Inspire, finding childcare would be a nightmare,” she said. “It’s great that the kids can have a nice time, parents can work or have a break without worry.
“I also think Inspire’s holiday clubs are really affordable, especially considering the amount of activities on offer.
“I have already recommended the holiday club to other parents. The staff are all friendly and polite, Lily has a great time and it’s nice she can keep active over the summer holidays.”
Book your place at our holiday clubs here.
‘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 is proud to announce a brand-new girls-only drop-in session at our Ipswich location.
The sessions will be launching on Thursday, 26th June, and run from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Following feedback from young women that there aren’t enough female-only spaces in the local area, Inspire listened and took action, and have created a space where girls can feel safe and empowered.
Like all Inspire drop-ins, the Thursday session will provide a supportive environment. Not only will it be a place to hang out and meet new friends, but there will also be the opportunity to talk to a youth worker about any issues.
There will also be workshops running at the drop-ins, covering everything from online safety to nail technician training and girls only sport.
Jay Wallace-Langan, Pre-16 Project Coordinator, said: “With the success of Vibrance at Hadleigh Youth Centre, we’ve seen how vital it is for young women to have a place where they can thrive.
“We have the opportunity to do the same in Ipswich, and we want to make sure we’re empowering all the local females.
“This new group is the next step in opening up more opportunities for young girls, as well as giving them a sense of belonging and empowerment.”
The Girls-Only drop in starts at the Inspire Ipswich Youth Hub on June 26 and will run every Thursday from 3.30pm until 6pm. It’s open for everyone in year 7 to year 11.
Find out more about our drop ins here.
At Inspire’s Hadleigh Youth Centre, a powerful new initiative has just wrapped up. Vibrance was a six-week programme created to uplift young girls as they navigate the pressures of growing up.
Led by youth worker Alyx, Vibrance focused on a range of important topics, including self-esteem and confidence, body empowerment, online safety, friendships, healthy relationships, and even the growing influence of AI and social media.
“It’s hard for girls to love themselves,” Alyx said. “Social media is a huge thing now, body shapes are a trend now, and that really affects how young girls see themselves.
“I wanted them to come away from this course feeling empowered, like they can say no when they need to, but most of all, I wanted them to like themselves.”
The course gave the girls space to explore challenging issues and to be heard, in a fun and interactive environment. The results have been overwhelmingly positive.
One participant shared: “I really enjoyed being listened to.” Another said: “We talked about some really important, hard stuff, but did it in a non-judgemental and fun way.”
Alyx says the heart of Vibrance is helping young girls recognise their individuality and strength.
“A lot of our young people struggle with comparing themselves to others. I just want them to see that they are individuals, and that they are all great,” she said.
Girls that took part in the course were also gifted an incredible goody bag from Lush.
Annabel, from Ipswich’s Lush story explained why it was so important to support the initiative saying: “Inspire is such a good charity to support, and it’s so lucky that we can.
“I know there’s a lot of young people from underprivileged families who might not have access to products like this and it’s lovely to be able to do it. I’m so glad that I can do it for our shop. If a simple thing can bring them happiness then we love to be able to support it.”
For more happening at Hadleigh Youth Centre, click here.
When Caitlin found herself at a crossroads in her education, she knew she needed to take a different path. She wanted to be able to make a difference while getting real-life experience.
Passionate about working with young people, Caitlin, 20, had always wanted to be a youth justice officer.
“I’ve always wanted to work in youth justice,” she said. “Helping young people who are involved in crime or at risk of it, giving them a second chance, helping them move forward, I’ve got huge empathy for that.”
She explained she had started college courses in health and social care and forensics but couldn’t afford to complete them.
“I felt stuck, and I didn’t know what to do afterwards,” she said. “I decided I needed a new route that wasn’t just education.”
From here, she joined Inspire’s Thrive programme and started working alongside personal development coach Mollie.
They explored the different routes to reach her goals, and got her a volunteering role in a local school as a learning support assistant. This also led into paid work as an exam invigilator.
She also signed up for the Youth Work Academy, a two-week introductory course open to anyone aged 16 to 60 from a partnership between Inspire and Lofty Heights.
The course offered an accessible route into youth work, giving participants a recognised qualification and first-hand insight into the sector.
She continued: “I thought I could do the course alongside my volunteering. I’m also volunteering at Inspire’s Youth Hub in Ipswich, and I’ve been out doing detached youth work too, going out, speaking with young people, making sure they’re safe, and helping keep them away from trouble.”
Through her determination, Caitlin is now on her way to a career in youth justice.
“Inspire has helped me a lot,” she added. “It’s just a really good charity for young people.”
Find out more about Thrive here.
Also read: ‘Before Inspire I felt stuck, now I’m in my dream job’
How Thrive helped Hasan find his spark
Inspire recently had the opportunity to attend the Suffolk Show – a two-day celebration of food, farming and countryside life, hosted by the Suffolk Agricultural Association at Trinity Park on May 28 and 29.
As part of the event, Inspire brought along 80 young people from across the county, many of whom were experiencing the Suffolk Show for the very first time.
Young people from our Hadleigh and Lowestoft drop-ins joined for the two days, which were filled with fun, learning, and community. From getting up close with animals to exploring the many sights and sounds of the showground, it provided a chance for connection, discovery and enjoyment. Everyone also received a delicious lunch generously provided by Prestige.
Our Inspire tipi was a lively hub of activity, offering badge making, marshmallow toasting, and a photobooth. It was a great way to engage with the wider community, showcase what Inspire is all about, and create a welcoming space for our young people to relax and have fun.
In addition, it was a brilliant example of how new environments and shared experiences can help young people connect, grow and make lasting memories.
We were thrilled to receive such positive feedback from those who joined us:
“It’s been great spending time together outside of how we normally do. We’ve got to know each other better because of the new environment.”
“It’s been such a great day, seeing new stuff, having fun and being with everyone.”
“It’s my first time here! I got to pet the rabbits and the goats, which was really good. I would love to do something like this again.”
We’re so grateful to the Suffolk Agricultural Association for making this experience possible, and to everyone who helped make the event such a success.
In a town where options for young people can feel limited, Social Space in Lowestoft has become a trusted place to go.
It offers a place to be creative, be active, unwind and also to find real friendship. Isabella, 18, is one who has managed to find real connection while attending the drop in.
“I’ve been coming to Social Space since last year,” she said. “I met Jasmine and she’s now my best friend.”
She added: “This is the only place in Lowestoft I’d recommend for people my age. It’s safe, the staff are great, and there’s no pressure. You make friends at your own pace.
“Everything is led by the young people. I have made a whole group of friends here.”
Social Space is open to all young people aged 16 – 25, including LGBTQIA+ young adults. Sessions include everything from dodgeball, bowling, painting and baking.
For Isabella, who’s studying art and design at college, it’s a space to be creative and social.
“It’s a nice place, it gets me out the house, there’s always something to do here, there’s an activity on, the people are nice and it gets me some fresh air,” Isabella added.
“I like doing the sports, that’s fun, but I’m a very crafty person so I like doing the arts and crafts the most.”
Social Space runs every Thursday from 5pm – 7pm. Find out more about it here.
To find out about our drop-ins for ages 11 and up, click here.
Hadleigh Youth Hub’s Friday Night Drop-in is a vital resource for young people in a world increasingly dominated by screen time.
With 1,243 council-run youth centres closing between 2010 and 2023 due to government cuts, spaces like these are more important than ever. Recent research shows young people whose nearest youth club shut down saw a decline in academic performance.
In a world where teenagers spend an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per day on screens, or 43% of their waking hours, the drop-in offers a break from digital distractions and provide a safe space for face-to-face interaction.
For 14-year-old Poppy, the Drop-in gives her a chance to disconnect from her phone and be present with friends.
“When we go along, me and my friends just like to hang out and talk,” she says. “I’ve made new friends since being here. If Drop-in wasn’t on, I’d probably be at home on my phone.
“I do as many of the activities as I can. I went to the board game day and I did the fashion event in the half term. I can’t wait to come to the summer activities.”
She added that she appreciates the youth workers there, saying: “I like all the staff; they are easy to get along with and I can talk to them about things going on at school.”
Daisy-Mae, 12, echoed this, saying: “I started attending with my brother, but now I go by myself now and I’ve met friends there.
“I’m not always confident when it comes to socialising, but I’ve always felt supported at drop-in. If it wasn’t on I’d most likely be at home alone, scrolling on my phone.”
Find out more about our 11-16 youth hub drop ins here.
This year, Inspire has been honoured to be chosen as the Charity of the Year by Suffolk Joint Construction Committee (SJCC) for their annual Design and Craftsmanship Awards.
Our CEO, Andy Crump, was delighted to have the opportunity share Inspire’s mission to build confidence, develop skills, and create brighter futures for young people with over 400 attendees from across the construction, design and engineering industry.
Andy said: “Young people across Suffolk aren’t lacking ambition – they’re lacking access. At Inspire, our mission is to bridge that gap, to meet young people where they are, and help them move forward with purpose and confidence.
“We’re incredibly grateful to SJCC for not only raising vital funds, but for sharing our commitment to empowering the next generation. Their support will help us to reach more young people each year, providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to shape a brighter future.
“This partnership also gave us a valuable platform to shine a spotlight on the work happening across Suffolk, and it was inspiring to see so many in the room who already play a part in making that work possible.”
We were also proud to share the inspiring story of Bella, who came to Inspire after dropping out of college due to bullying and an eating disorder. With support from our team, Bella is now a qualified plumber and gas engineer and has discovered a new passion – boxing.
“Before I went to Inspire, for six months I couldn’t leave the house,” she previously shared.
“I was petrified of everyone, I couldn’t speak to a single person. And now I have a job I love, and I had the confidence to go out in front of hundreds of people and do a boxing match. Before Inspire I never would have believed I could have done something like this.”
Bryan Wybrow added: “Finishing my year as SJCC chair with such a fantastic awards event – celebrating industry excellence, strengthening local relationships, and raising vital funds for Inspire – has been an absolute privilege, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.”
We are grateful to SJCC for their generosity and commitment to young people. The awards evening raised over £5000, enough to fund over 120 hours of free counselling for young people in need.
Being a chosen Charity Of The Year is a huge honour for us, and a great way to work alongside organisations who want to make a meaningful impact. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Sara, saraw@inspirecharityuk.org
For mum-of-three Becky, Turn Up & Play has been a game-changer for her children – Oscar, 11, Molly, 9, and Daisy, 6.
Becky’s children are home-educated, and have found the weekly multi-sport session has been a great way to meet new people and make friends, as well as grow their confidence.
“There aren’t many sport groups that are relaxed and child-led like this,” she said. “It’s fun, not pressured, and not highly competitive, and being free to attend makes a huge difference when you’ve got three kids.”
Becky explains that her son Oscar wasn’t interested in other sports clubs, but he instantly wanted to return to Turn Up & Play after his first session. “It’s the lovely atmosphere they’ve created. You don’t have to be good, you just have to enjoy it. That’s so important,” she said.
Turn Up & Play runs twice a week, with Thursdays dedicated to football and Wednesdays offering multi-sports.
These sessions cover a variety of sports such as handball, basketball, tag rugby, netball, and new favourite Dragonball, invented by our very own coach Adrian. The sport can be adapted to every child, despite age or ability.
It’s this inclusive atmosphere that Becky says sets Turn Up & Play apart from other groups.
“They celebrate trying as much as winning. It’s a big skill to learn how to lose and still feel okay, and they do that brilliantly,” she said.
Becky also spoke about the impact the sessions have had on the rest of her family.
“My son had never wanted to play football, but now he’s confident enough to approach other kids in the park and ask to join in. That wouldn’t have happened before,” she said.
It’s not just the kids benefitting. Becky even joined a local Pickleball club after taking part in a session. “You forget how good it feels to move and play,” she says. “This group reminded me of that joy.”
Find out more about Turn Up & Play here.
Also read: Turn Up & Play: Developing skills on and off the pitch
‘Turn Up & Play has transformed my sons self-confidence’
I don’t know what I’d do without Turn Up & Play‘
This Mental Health Awareness Week, Inspire is highlighting Health Kicks – our free weekly sports session in Ipswich for anyone aged 18 and over.
Held every Friday, the session is open to all abilities and designed to boost both physical and mental wellbeing in a fun, relaxed environment.
With no upper age limit, no pressure to perform, and no need for full kit (just bring outdoor trainers), Health Kicks is a chance to get moving, meet new people, and take a step towards better mental health.
One regular participant said: “I try to come every week. I really enjoy it and love that it’s a no-pressure environment.”
Inspire sports coach Jahrul said: “People are hiding all this energy and have nowhere to go, but luckily we have that here. They can show all their talent and potential.
“It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about meeting new people, having fun and being together.”
He added the session also offers a safe space to chat and be supported if they so wish, saying: “We’re a person who listens.”
Sport England reports that one in four UK adults is classed as inactive, and levels of physical activity continue to decline with age.
But movement matters – it’s proven to lift mood, reduce anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing. Even low-intensity activity like a friendly football match can have a significant impact on how we feel.
That’s why Health Kicks was created – to give people a welcoming way to stay active and feel better.
Find out more about Health Kicks here.
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.
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‘