8th March 2022
“My laptop has been a tremendous help, especially since having to do college work online in 2020. In my progress meeting with my teachers, they tell me I’m a top student and all my coursework is up to the standard. I couldn’t have done this well if I hadn’t received a laptop because it would have been impossible to do my coursework on my phone.”
– Surrey Young People’s Fund grantee
Read more at our blog by Nick Brooks, Chairman of the Surrey Young People’s Fund.
3rd June 2021
Established back in 2014, the Surrey Young People’s Fund (SYPF) launched to provide greater support for disadvantaged young people across the county, enabling them to gain access to training and employment opportunities. Since then, until the end of 2020, £110,000 has supported 464 determined young people, to assist them to move towards identified goals in education, training, apprenticeships, or employment.
A dedicated volunteer Panel, together with Community Foundation for Surrey staff, work to ensure the Fund supports those most in need. Small, but often lifechanging grants are awarded to young people aged 16-25, resident in Surrey, to support provision including laptops, work related clothing or training, course fees, travel costs and childcare.
Fast forward to 2020 and there is a multitude of further challenges for our young people as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. Financial hardship, school and college closures, a significant increase in mental health issues, and a lack of social opportunities have resulted in a tsunami of pressures for this demographic.
However, it is with grateful thanks to our generous local Community Foundation Donors, that the Surrey Young People’s Fund has received a further £45,000 in donations in 2020 – confirmation that the Fund can continue to support more young people through our grant-making programme! We are working to spread awareness of the Fund to enable more young people to be supported to reach their potential through education, training and employment.
If you would like to learn more about the Surrey Young People’s Fund, and how it is providing meaningful support to Surrey’s local young residents, please read the recently published SYPF Annual Review 2020 here!
Nick Brooks, Chair, SYPF said:
“I am delighted to share our report on the progress of Surrey Young People’s Fund in 2020, in what was a uniquely challenging year for the disadvantaged young people we support across the County, as well as for our Fund volunteers, referrers and funders. We are delighted to have been able to help as many young people as we have in our 6th year of operation, and I would like to thank all of our volunteers and donors who do so much to support young people move towards training and work.”
If you are a young person looking for support, please visit the SYPF webpage to find out more.
On behalf of us all at the Community Foundation for Surrey, thank you to everyone that is working to support young people at this critical time.
7th December 2017
On Wednesday 22nd November we held an inspirational reception that took place at the birthplace of British Motorsport and Aviation, Brooklands Museum. We were joined by over 90 attendees from a wide range of organisations across Surrey for the showcase of two of our funds that help individuals in and around the county. For a second time, the Surrey Young People’s Fund and Surrey Supported Employment Fund came together to reach out to those in need locally, giving engaging presentations and celebrating their work to date.
The Surrey Young People’s Fund helps disadvantaged young people achieve access to training and employment. A recipient of the fund bravely shared his story and explained how he has benefited from his grant since living in the UK, having fled his home country in the midst of war.
I am very grateful to the fund. This money has helped me acquire the equipment needed to pursue my studies and given me a more positive outlook on my future.
Mohammed*, SYP Applicant.
Having now supported over 150 determined young people improve their prospects and awarded almost £40,000 in grants since the funds inception in 2014, we are only wanting to continue to raise this number.
Nick Brooks, chair of SYP shared,
I was delighted to see so many of our county-wide network of referring agencies, funders and representatives of our public authorities in attendance. It was excellent to be able to welcome Peter Martin, Chairman of Surrey County Council, as a demonstration of support for the work being undertaken by Surrey Young People’s Fund helping so many disadvantaged young people across the county move towards work.
The Surrey Supported Employment Fund was established to help those with disabilities and/or mental ill health overcome barriers to work, contributing towards the social and economic wellbeing of Surrey. Grants are usually just a few hundred pounds, but these small amounts can be life changing.
Judy Corney, Employment Manager from referring agency Employment Support Retraining Agency, shared one recipient’s inspiring story of how the fund has helped her to achieve a level 2 British Gymnastics General Coaching Certification after a recent family hardship.
The impact on my life is so great it astounds me. My confidence in coaching has improved and has also led me on to an opportunity with the NHS Recovery College. I absolutely love it and believe that, after 47 years, I have finally found my calling.
Joanne*, SSE Applicant.
Joanne* is now hoping to take a course in Education and Training (Level 3 and 4) to enable her to progress in the workplace and undergo training to ensure coaching as a permanent career.
Roshan Bailey, Chair of SSE said,
We really do want to increase the grants we award, so this was an excellent occasion to illustrate the opportunities we can help open up for disabled people facing barriers to work, as well as the amazing long-term impact our grants have on their lives. I am delighted that our guests were so keen to help spread the message to people who need our support.
The Surrey Supported Employment Fund has awarded over £36,000 since its establishment in 2012.
Day to day I experience the impact both these funds have on individuals who have been supported with what often seems a little amount and day to day I’m inspired by this. The Brooklands event was a time to share this impact with our guests and encourage even more referrals. Should you know of any individual in need of support please encourage them to apply to the funds, we’re here to help!
Katie Owen, Grants Officer.
We would like to thank Allan Winn, Director of Brooklands for kindly hosting the event as well as our sponsor, Alliotts, for generously funding the evening.
If you would like to learn more about either fund, or how you can help support your local community, please contact us on 01483 478092.
The Foundation has an exciting new volunteer opportunity available! We are looking to appoint an Ambassador to work with individuals READ MORE
Established in October 2014, The Surrey Young People’s Fund supports disadvantaged young people in Surrey to gain access to training READ MORE
We are looking for a volunteer Assessor to work with disadvantaged young people, assessing applications for grants and providing support READ MORE
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