Say hello to the new school’s youth work team at The Mix
Babergh and Mid-Suffolk District Councils have introduced a new fund to support young people in four schools across Babergh and Mid-Suffolk.
We are grateful to have received a fund from the Councils that enables us to grow our in-school youth work support. From September 2023, we have had youth workers embedded in three schools in Mid-Suffolk and one school in Babergh, increasing our in-school support from two schools to four schools in collaboration with 4YP in Ipswich. From March 2024 we have increased this again from three schools in Mid-Suffolk to four.
This work is part of a three-year programme to ensure a consistent presence in the schools and provide long-term support to those who need it.
The purpose of the project is to act as an early intervention for students, addressing vulnerabilities such as low self-esteem while helping them develop important skills and forge new relationships.
This is being achieved through the implementation of a 'youth link worker' in the schools and will complement existing work that already takes place.
These workers have been embedded in time for the start of the new term and will work with young people and their families to identify and access community activities that suit their interests.
The school’s link youth workers will deliver one-to-one’s, group workshops, assemblies, and more. Our youth work teams work together across programmes and some young people who attend our Open Access drop-ins after school also see our youth workers in their schools, proving how vital having a school’s youth worker is.
They will also work to overcome any barriers that are in the way of individuals participating in the activity they are interested in. This might involve setting up new after-school clubs, securing new equipment, improving facilities and beyond.
Our new school’s youth work team is headed up by Rebecca, with Charlotte delivering in Thurston Community College, Emma delivering in Stowupland High School, Adam delivering in Stowmarket High School, and Alyx delivering in Claydon High School. 4YP deliver in the Babergh District at Holbook Academy.
Rebecca is our wonderful School’s Project Lead. She has a passion for supporting young people and helping them to realise their potential in anything they do. She is a strong leader, loves to laugh and doesn’t take life too seriously. She has been a big part of The Mix since she joined helping out in as many youth work sessions as possible and is looking forward to seeing the school’s project grow with a fantastically passionate team.
Charlotte has been busy mentoring young people at Thurston Community College and is due to begin our second Diadem session within the school, which empowers young girls to step into their power and grow in confidence and self-esteem. Charlotte has also been out in the local community on Wednesdays with our Open access lead Josh, speaking to young people about their community and what they would like to see on offer for young people in and around Thurston.
Emma joined the school’s youth work team from Combs Primary School as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA). Emma is the school’s link youth worker with Stowupland High School and is looking forward to supporting young people within high school. As with all our youth workers Emma has joined other young work sessions that go on within The Mix and has integrated well with the team and grown trust with young people.
Adam is our school link youth worker for Stowmarket High School, he is passionate about making a long-lasting difference to young people's lives within school and the local community. Adam has also been part of drop ins and detached youth work since he joined and has integrated well with the team and young people. Adam also travels around the country on speaking engagements talking to young people and training adults.
Alyx is the newest member of the school’s youth work team delivering in Claydon High School, which is our newest school. Alyx has been at The Mix since July 2023 as an Open Access youth worker so you may have seen her at drop-ins and out on detached youth work. She also leads our Violence Against Women and Girls project, with the main session delivered called Diadem.
Across The Mix, our youth work programmes have seen an increase in popularity and demand. These exciting changes mean that we can offer more support, group sessions and activities, all for young people in our community. Our school’s offering has grown so much.
Our primary school mentoring programme, Empower, that has been running for two years, is changing its name to Empower from September. The name reflects what the programme aims to achieve; empowering young people, building their confidence, and helping them to be the best versions of themselves.
Thrive, our alternative education provision, turned five years old this year and from September is growing from three days a week to four. Thrive offers a unique learning environment, enabling young people from local secondary schools to receive the support they need to thrive in education and life.
To support our programmes through monetary donations, email rose@themixstowmarket.co.uk.
If you would like to volunteer with us, email volunteering@themixstowmarket.co.uk.
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