In December we ran our Ready. Set. Go! programme, open to all 16-18 year olds in the area, to give young people a taste of what goes on at asphaleia. We received a lot of interest and on the 12^th we kicked off with a session of indoor wall climbing at the Adur Activity Centre where the guys were challenged to reach the top of the ten metre wall using increasingly difficult routes and smaller and smaller footholds and handholds.

Ten metres doesn’t sound like much but when looking down from the top, holding on by the fingertips, it is pretty daunting. This was a great opportunity for the learners to get to know each other through shouting lots of positive encouragement.

The following day, the students visited the top floor of Liverpool Terrace where they took part in a First Aid course run by Andy, complete with Annie the dummy, whom they had to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to! Everyone passed the qualification and left with a certificate.

On week two, the guys completed a one-day Workplace Hazard qualification, learning about Health & Safety laws, safety equipment, how to be safe and how to recognise risks in the workplace. Then they did a taster session showing them what we do at asphaleia training and how we do it. Firstly, Nikki did a one hour session on the Money Secret course, which is designed to help young people manage their money in a more efficient way. This was followed by Phati, who delivered a Creative Art session. The students were shown a demonstration and then given the opportunity to create their own Christmas cards using several different materials.

On the final day, all of the young people were invited to our annual Christmas Lunch held at the River of Life Church, for a traditional Christmas feast, games and an award ceremony.

The next Ready. Set. Go! programme starts Monday 23rd of January, to sign up please email referrals@asphaleia.co.uk.

Further to the recent blog regarding 13 young people’s amazing efforts to revamp Worthing’s Community House, an event was held to highlight their good work last Friday.

Councillor Ann Barlow (The Mayor of Worthing) and Tim Loughton joined staff at asphaleia, Worthing Homes and Northbrook College on the 2^nd December to celebrate the success of asphaleia’s Princes Trust team who fundraised for, and completed, a five day project to decorate the building and garden of Community House, East Worthing.

“[Friday's event] was a great opportunity to recognise the achievement of the young people and promote the positive impact they’ve had on the community.” Candice, Team Leader.

The young people were also proud to be able to present the centre with storage units, display boards and a sofa that they bought with the leftover monies from their fundraising efforts.

A special plaque is now on display in Community House to remember the team’s fantastic contribution to this valued community building.

asphaleia are now delivering their FL contract at Southwick Community Centre. We have recently moved from central Shoreham to this lovely venue.

Southwick Community Centre

“The building itself is very quaint and is set within some really beautiful grounds.” Phati, Literacy & Creative Arts Tutor.

Phati, Creative Arts & Literacy Tutor

Our delivery there has just seen learners finish their Entry 2 Numeracy exams and a money management course called ‘Money Secret’. Literacy is also being delivered and a Creative Arts course will be commencing very soon.

“A big thank you to all the learners who all dealt with the move and transition very peacefully.” Nicola, Numeracy & Money Secret Tutor.

37 pupils from Davison High School have produced beautiful arts and crafts to sell at the school’s Christmas Fayre next week with proceeds going to St Barnabas Hospice. The pupils joined asphaleia’s ON2UP2 project in a team-building programme aimed at raising participation and confidence amongst a group of girls with a range of personal and social development needs.

The students produced handmade cards, jewellery boxes, A5 paintings and jigsaw puzzles. They also attended Personal & Social Development sessions with asphaleia Tutor Nicola, addressing issues such as anger management, confidence, behaviour and relationships.

Some handmade cards

“The process of the creation of designs involved students drawing from observation of still life objects. They progressed by exploring different materials, and generating final card designs. Most important in this process was for students to realise the possibility of generating income for themselves in the future, particularly in the current economical climate we are in, and developing a sense of pride and can-do spirit. Through the work students produced the source of ideas can be tracked right back to their original observation drawings or print outs. The girls have worked hard and produced some beautiful work… the girls certainly say they feel a lot more confident now and that’s due to all the collaborative work we’ve done.”  Phati, Creative Art Tutor at asphaleia.

The Christmas Fayre takes place at Davison High School Friday 25^th November, 6.30pm - 8.30pm. We hope the girls make lots of money for the St Barnabas Hospice.

Blog written by Amy Pedder, Senior Project Worker.

The European Social Fund (ESF) held the third London ESF Awards at City Hall on the 14^th of November, including the awards for the European Regional Development Fund programme (ERDF) for the first time. Supported by ESF-Works, the Awards showcased the talents, skills and employment related achievements of individuals benefiting from ESF across London.

asphaleia nominated Khalid for the award and to our delight, he made it to the final three and received a certificate! This is his story:

Khalid worked with his Project Worker on the P2P programme delivered by asphaleia. Khalid has always been a very hard worker, extremely motivated to improve and to develop new skills. He has always been polite, respectful and showed good manners to others. Khalid asked for extra work to do at home every day. His desire and attitude towards learning has been an inspiration, not only for other learners, but also for other members of the staff including myself. So Khalid indeed had all the attitudes needed to become a successful young person except one: Khalid lacked self-confidence to socialise and communicate with others and he was very introverted and shy. Improving something that has been deeply rooted in your personality is not easy, and being 16 years old and unaccompanied in another country where everybody speaks weird does not help at all.

Step-by-step and with the support of his Project Worker, we designed a strategy through positive activities and skills development programmes, focusing on improving his self-esteem and confidence to cope with different social and professional situations that he would face in the future. These included: mock interviews, role plays, making requests for information, presentations, asking prepared questions and finally a work placement in McDonalds where he learned a great deal of customer service skills and also how to deal with some challenging customers!

After two months in the project Khalid faced his fears about public speaking and other intimidating situations. On the 21^st of September we invited Khalid to our open day to talk in public about his experience in the project in front of over 30 professional adults!

His speech was the highlight of the day, so inspiring and so powerful that it was mentioned in all the feedback forms of the attendants.

Reflecting on how much Khalid changed after his time in the project make us feel very proud. Khalid has taught all of us that with a little bit of support and tons of determination we all can overcome our fears. Khalid has always said how important his Project Worker was, we always say how important Khalid has been for us all.

Khalid with his certificate

Message from Khalid: “After I joined ESF they made me improve about everything. Within short time I improved my English language, my self-confidence and I got ability to talk to the people. They helped me to do work experience and after that they helped me to find a job where I am still working at that job that they helped me to find. Actually they make me stronger and more confident person. Today I’m doing level 2 science which equals GCSE at city of Westminster college and I work for the McDonald as well. In the future I wish to continuo my education until university and to keep working until I get my target.”

Khalid and Jurgita

Well done Khalid!

Blog written by Jurgita Sereikaite, asphaleia Charity Manager & Assistant training Manager.