Last month saw the launch of the Access to Apprenticeship, an innovative new project being offered to unemployed 19-24 year olds living in Worthing and the surrounding areas.

The 8 week programme will have a monthly intake and will run for 2 years in partnership with Northbrook College.

The NEET Apprenticeship programme aims to help young people move onto full apprenticeships by the end of their course by offering targeted skills development and progression support.

Young people will have the opportunity to gain a Key Skills qualification and a Technical Certificate in either Customer Service or Health and Social Care.

They will also work towards a Level 1 Work Skills qualification and receive one to one support from our Specialist Job Broker to help them prepare for the world of work.

We are excited about embarking on this new project with Northbrook College and will keep you updated on the project as it progresses. If you would like to enroll on the Access to Apprenticeship programme or want to find out more please contact Vanessa T 01903 823546 or E vanessapotter@asphaleia.co.uk.

Access to apprenticeships customer services learners

The asphaleia learning centre team were delighted to open their doors to the public, prospective students and fellow professionals last week.

With over 50 visitors, the day was heralded a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Visitors were given the opportunity to meet learners past and present, take part in sessions and speak to staff.The event was organised to give us the opportunity to show case our services and to further develop referral links within the community.

The asphaleia team were excited about having the chance to speak about the innovative programmes on offer and were overwhelmed by the positive feedback received by visitors on the day.

We would like to say a special thank you to all the young people who volunteered to help steward on the day, you were fantastic!

We would also like to say thank you to all those who attended the event, your positive feedback is very much appreciated. We very much look forward to working with you.

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.