Raising Aspirations

This young person was referred to Yep! partner Cornwall Education Business Partnership (EBP) from a local college, coming to the end of her supported internship, and needed support with her next steps.  With barriers of Autism and anxiety she lacked confidence and needed support with a small steps approach.

Trust was built over many sessions and her confidence grew, with lots of giggles along the way.  She attended an Industry Day at The Headland Hotel which opened her eyes to new possibilities for the future.

For now, she felt more comfortable and safer seeking a part-time local job in retail, as she had some experience in this sector.  Her EBP Youth Engagement Officer Jane supported her in building a strong CV and with employability skills including support in applying for jobs.  Her confidence continued to grow.  We are very proud to say she has now secured a part-time role in retail, close to home which is a perfect fit for now.  We wish her all the best for her new role and for the future with her newfound confidence. 

The support she received has raised her aspirations for the future and belief in herself.

Giving Education Another Shot

Rae started on the Yep! project in January and during that time, she has been working one to one with her CSW Group Yep! Adviser, exploring options for returning to education.  They have visited several local education providers, arranging a place to start in September.

Rae has also benefited from the collaborative delivery within the project, meaning that whilst she continued to gain one to one support from CSW Group, she has also attended the PLUSS ME course through Yep! partners PLUSS.

Rae tells us the difference working with CSW Group has made to her:

‘You’ve finally found me an educational facility that makes me want to give education another shot and that’s down to you.’

And the impact of being able to additionally link in with the PLUSS ME course:

‘You’ve helped my confidence in leaving the home. I’m starting to learn to use public transport, which I’ve done on my own now, which is a giant improvement in me getting out of the house. It’s something I couldn’t see myself doing a couple of years ago.’

We are so proud of Rae and the steps she has taken forward since being on the project and we look forward to seeing her progress back into education.

Connecting with nature for wellbeing  

This young person stopped attending school 3 years ago in Year 8, she was spending much of her time in her room, in bed and not eating well, sometimes eating a bar of chocolate for dinner.  She experienced poor mental health which has been her main barrier to education and socialisation. Yep! partner Newquay Orchard’s priority was to build her confidence, resilience and improve her mental wellbeing.

Through the weekly group Wellbeing Sessions that focus on connecting with nature, she had the opportunity to socialise, building connections with other young people facing similar challenges, which helped to build her confidence. 

Mindful exercises developed the skill of slowing down and paying attention to her body and senses, helping her mind to be calm and focus on a specific task.  Newquay Orchard also use nature as a tool for relaxation, some of these sessions included flower pressing and cooking, a great way to explore and appreciate the beauty and versatility of nature.

She has achieved a level of resilience and wellbeing that has allowed her to confidently apply for an education programme with Newquay Orchard starting in September.  Whilst a little unsure, she feels ready for this challenge.  Mental Health and motivation has improved which has affected how she looks after herself, eating and sleeping properly, waking ready for the day ahead and open to learning.  Basic cooking sessions have helped, which included planning meals, harvesting ingredients at the Orchard and cooking together.

She commented how much she enjoyed the Orchard’s Wellbeing Sessions and is excited to attend each week.  A contrast to her previous mindset; uninterested about anything, in going out or meeting people.  She has also made friends within the group.

She feels Newquay Orchard has taught her to use nature to cope and she has transferred this to other areas of life; just going out for a walk outside when feeling stressed, appreciating the natural world around us, which allows her to return more relaxed and able to focus. 

The slower pace of sessions worked well as she often found aspects of life too quick and rapid to process.  This was a barrier at school, but with extra time she is able to think clearly and has head space to make decisions.

College and a Job

K joined Yep! in May 2024 with partner Cornwall Education Business Partnership (EBP) after coming to the end of his support with Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) on Work Your Way. He was also completing a 6 week Supported Internship as a Housekeeper at The Headland Hotel in Newquay.

Sessions with his Youth Employment Officer, Catherine, focused on his interests and aspirations. He was given ideas on courses and bootcamps to explore areas of interest.  This included a Coding Course which helped him realise that this was not a career he wanted to pursue.  But perhaps IT Media and Marketing would be a career path suited to his interests and skills.

Through his sessions with Catherine, they ruled out the jobs and courses that he did not want to do, which helped with some good discussions and K became more confident in his skill set, the Supported Internship was also helping K grow in confidence and feel secure in his abilities.

K is used to having a support system but independently undertook an online course and liaised with Truro College about signing up to a course with them. K was a guest speaker at an EBP/ YEP! event and has spoken of how the support of CRCC and YEP! has helped him and made his confidence grow. He spoke to a room of over 40 people which is a massive achievement for him.  

K felt supported with his next steps after CRCC, his confidence has grown, he is now comfortable with direct contact with employers and has attended interviews for work and college. K has been advised about many pathways and possibilities for his future and feels content with the number of opportunities available that he was previously unaware of.

After the Supported Internship at The Headland Hotel and 2 months after joining Yep! K had the confidence to formally apply for a job with them. He was interviewed and considered alongside all the candidates and secured a part-time job delivering linen around the hotel and lodges. 

K has now started a 16-week skills bootcamp which started last week with a view to potentially starting an IT apprenticeship in January next year.

K was at risk of NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training), he felt unsure of what he would do upon leaving CRCC.  K is looking forward to college and to a paycheck from his part-time job. He feels secure and optimistic about his future.

He has achieved his short-term goals, but with EBP and Yep! there is support available working towards further achievements in the future.

“When I first met K, he wanted to be reassured that support would be there for him. Initially I would meet, talk, text or email him a few times a week while we worked out what he would go on to do. The support is now light touch support and leans more towards being available for IAG (information, advice and guidance). I have helped K to see by trying new skills he can choose what he wants to do in the future, and that it is not limited to skills in only one area.” Catherine, EBP

College Ready

Cornwall Education Business Partnership (EBP) have supported a young person who had no qualifications and was living in emergency housing to find his way forward. 

He was unmotivated, unorganised and regularly missed appointments, not waking in time to attend. With one to one support to explore his aspirations, they looked at his work experience, possible apprenticeships and college courses.  He decided to apply for a Level 1 Motor Mechanics Course with Cornwall College. 

The coaching he received with EBP guided him to realise his goals and what steps he needed to take to achieve them.

His Youth Engagement Officer went with him to his interview, and he has secured a place and attended days to prepare for starting college.  He is more motivated with a new sense of purpose, pride and a goal to aim for. 

He is looking after himself, eating well, sleeping well, managing his finances, is confident, and more independent.

Working in collaboration with Argyle Community Trust, another partner on Yep! he is also completing his functional skills in Maths and English.

Collaboration between partners is what makes Yep! the leading project in Cornwall for young people.