Visiting local groups and seeing the impact and changes they create within their community was one of the things I was most looking forward to as part of my internship.
This week, we visited three local groups that received grants from the LF Fund and saw the positive change this has made in action.
We first visited Paul Scrivens, CEO of the Love Local Jobs Foundation (LLJF) in Brighton. He ran us through the ways LLJF bring together local businesses and schools throughout Sussex to increase disadvantaged students' self-confidence and career skills.
They give presentations in schools and run programs over four days with groups of 15 students who would get the most out of their services. This programme involves local employees supporting the students. They also take the students into the workplace of a key employer in the area to give them experience in a real work environment. I found hearing and seeing the student's stories of positive change moving.
We then walked over to meet with Release Counselling for Women. The CEO, Ellen Baldwin was incredibly inspiring. She talked us through the charity’s history, growing over time to further their work of providing qualified counselling to reduce isolation and empower women. Most notably she spoke about their mother-focused groups, which have a wide appeal. This included ‘Second Nurture’ supporting people becoming a mum for the second time. The charity received a grant to support their ‘Mother Nurture’ group for first time mums.
We then travelled to Lancing where we met Mark Carrel, a senior youth advisor from Electric Storm Youth. He told us all about the support and activities they provide for young people in Lancing. They work with individuals to improve their personal and social development and teach them new skills. This is done through sessions within local school activities after school and throughout school holidays. Activities include sports sessions, days out and LGBTQ+ community programs. They also signpost young people to a range of local mental health support. Seeing the value of this program and its impact on young people from all backgrounds in improving themselves and developing a community made me leave with a big smile.
You can read more case studies from organisations the Foundation has supported here.
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