Funding from BBC Children in Need

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant of £39,000, from BBC Children in Need and Youth Futures Foundation, to support more girls in schools and colleges across West Sussex. The funding was awarded to organisations delivering activities which support young people on their journey towards employment.

The Inspiring Futures grant will enable us to deliver 13 This Is Me programmes which support the girls to improve their self-esteem and confidence, continue in education and achieve their potential. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened existing challenges for children and young people looking to access further education, training, and work.

Emerging research from the Prince's Trust Youth Index 2021 found that 1 in 4 young people felt unable to cope with life since the start of the pandemic, increasing to 40% young people who are NEET (not in education training or employment). A quarter of young people claim that the pandemic has "destroyed" their career aspirations and 60% say that getting a new job feels "impossible now".

We are committed to improving the lives of the vulnerable young girls and the aim of our programme is to empower girls to stay in education and go on to further education or employment. In the 2020/21 summer term we are delivering four of these fully funded programmes at Hazelwick School, Bourne Community College, The Gatwick School and Worthing High School.

We are so grateful to Children in Need and Youth Futures Foundation for their support, which will truly help us change lives.