2019 has been an incredibly exciting year for the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. Launched in October 2018, by ambassador Harry Redknapp, the Foundation aims to considerably raise the career aspirations of our next generations across Sussex. Here’s a look back at the last 12 months.
At the beginning of the year, LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. launched two brand-new Be the Change programmes, in Chichester and Brighton, taking the total to five programmes across the academic year. Be the Change is a ground-breaking, inspirational programme, created by LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. Founder, Gary Peters and Graham Moore of humanutopia. Aimed at Year 9 students who may face challenges and difficulties within the school environment, Be the Change provides a great opportunity for businesses to engage with their future workforce, building awareness of their employer brand amongst young people in their local area and provides an innovative way of providing fulfilling and meaningful personal development opportunities for their employees.
The addition of these new programmes enabled the team to reach 1015 secondary school students over the year. 600 primary school students also benefiting from the programme this year, as they were mentored by the older students. Over the programme, these young people will have six interactions with their business guides from sponsors such as American Express, Sussex Police, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, The Body Shop and Hastings Direct.
This year, the Foundation launched two new initiatives. The first is Take the Leap which was launched in April with sponsorship from The Straumann Group. The outdoor employability adventure programme is centred around teamwork, leadership, confidence, trust and grit. Take the Leap provides adventures coordinated by E3 Adventures such as gorge walking and weaselling which allow young people to get out of their comfort zone and develop key employability skills in a new environment, whilst taking part in new experiences. 49 young people have taken part in the Take the Leap trips to Snowdonia with many more trips planned in 2020.
Dare to Dream was officially launched in September 2019 which sees Jack the Lad, previously Heart Sussex Radio Host, visiting local schools sharing stories from his childhood and his career. The programme aims to challenge young people to change the way they think and discusses themes such as resilience, confidence, belief and determination. As the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. receives no statutory funding, Dare to Dream is only made possible because of the generosity of local businesses, such as the KSD Group, who sponsor the programme. Approximately 4005 young people have attended a Dare to Dream talk in the last 4 months, with more talks already planned for early 2020. Jack the Lad said “I am thrilled to be part of something so very special here at the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. The work we are doing is genuinely changing lives and to see the messages we deliver having an impact on the young people of Sussex is truly rewarding. 2020 is going to be an extraordinary year. Dare to Dream has had such a strong start to its life reaching and impacting over 4000 young people in a little over 4 months. I really can’t wait to get out next year and talk to even more young people about the huge potential they have, helping them find a way to tap into it and be the very best that they can be.”
If you would like to learn more about the LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. or want to get involved, go to https://www.lovelocaljobsfoundation.com or email foundation@lovelocaljobs.com.