Waste Knot and Wot Nots

The Pitch

Problem statement

At Youth Works we are always reviewing our alternative education and youth work programmes to respond to feedback from young people as well as presenting needs. We work with over 1000 young people every year. 659 of these young people have presented with mental health issues in the last year. Many young people have presented with issues around anxiety, low self esteem and stress (38%). Increasing numbers are socially isolated. We have found that providing young people with the opportunity to; -Connect with others -Learn new skills -Be part of something bigger -Doing things for others -Having goals -Being more resilient.. ...can help them feel happier and more connected.

Solution

We have worked with young people to develop a project that takes waste products and revamps them involving young people and teaching them skills in the process. Young people will learn skills in furniture restoration, online selling, customer service, fashion marketing and bike maintenance through the revamping of donated items. We are aiming to set up a shop, staffed by young people, selling items that have been 'revamped' by the young people, using the skills they have developed. Funds raised will go back into providing support for young people. The shop will be based in a room at the back of our building. All activities will provide opportunities to experience things listed at Q1.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

We have a history of working with young people from the town, we are already working with young people who are struggling in education, with their mental health or with making the transition from school to work. We have staff and volunteers who have the relevant practical skills as well as being skilled practitioners in working with young people. We have a town centre location to house the project in. We are already linked with other organisations that we plan to work with in delivering the project. The project will provide young people who have used our counselling and emotional wellbeing services with real time opportunities to work on improving their outlook.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

40 people

Expected impact

Young people engaged in the project over 3 months = 40 Young people who achieve an accredited learning outcome = 25 % of young people engaged who have a mental health issue 75% % of young people who experience improved wellbeing = 80% Number of hours shop is opened per week by end of 3 months =12 Footfall through the project per week by end of 3 months = 20 Increased awareness of customers and participants of the importance of reducing waste 75%

Track record

Achieved Good for OFSTED inspection of eduction provision April 2018. "Pupils are enthusiastic regarding the school, its staff and the potential qualifications they can achieve. Comments from pupils typical of this attitude include, ‘This school has turned my life around,’ and ‘I now know where my life is going." Achieved all targets on recent contract with Barnardos during lockdown. Evaluation letter quote:met all of the key performance indicators; • received positive feedback from the children, young people and families engaging with the service • met all of the requirements for the successful management of the contract • delivered learning events and shared practice across the network • adapted models of delivery in line with local and national lockdown and COVID safe requirements • scaled up their delivery at pace to meet high levels of demand • extended reach into the local community Achieved targets on EWB with local CCG for last 6 years

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