Fresh Visions to launch new 1066 project

An award-winning charity helping disadvantaged youngsters is launching a second project in 1066 Country.
The team from Fresh Visions and Amicus Horizon fundraising at Brighton Color RunThe team from Fresh Visions and Amicus Horizon fundraising at Brighton Color Run
The team from Fresh Visions and Amicus Horizon fundraising at Brighton Color Run

Fresh Visions, the charity of social housing provider AmicusHorizon, is launching its Motiv8 scheme in Hastings and Rother in January.

The scheme is for 10 to 16 year olds in significant poverty within areas of Hastings, Rother and Eastbourne.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It aims to help children who are at risk of falling out of education, by providing personal development plans and one-to-one mentoring and support.

Community development project officer Romy Rook, said: “Young people’s life chances are quite limited by circumstances.

“This is about giving them something positive to focus on, away from substance abuse and out of gangs.’’

The charity supports children and young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Many of them are NEET – not in education, employment or training – and so far in 2015 it has helped more than 750 young people.

Its projects include Motiv8, which already runs in London and Build Yourself, which launched in East Sussex in June.

Motiv8 will tailor help to individual children.

“It might be goal setting or planning future choices or simply helping with homework, something which can be difficult, especially if you’re living in a chaotic household,” Ms Rook said.

The Build Yourself project is giving young adults training and employable skills at the same time as sprucing up community venues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Its participants have redecorated a dance studio in The Y Centre, St Paul’s Road and renovated Tilekiln Community Centre, Tile Barn Road, both in St Leonards.

Ms Rook said: “We live in an area where there’s a lot of negative feeling towards young people so it’s great for young people to contribute positively.”

“The Build Yourself project has been just amazing,” she said.

Drew Copus, 24, from Hastings, has been NEET and homeless in the past.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He gained DIY training and worked towards a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card on the Tilekiln renovation.

“It’s useful to learn with an experienced professional,” he said.

“Most employers in construction will ask for CSCS.”

Fresh Visions will be working with schools and youth groups to build on the existing success of the Build Yourself project, providing more valuable support to young people in Hastings and Rother when the Motiv8 scheme launches next year.

Fresh Visions helps children and young people in some of the UK’s poorest communities who may face disadvantage because of domestic abuse, poverty or lack of education.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity provides projects which aim to build young people’s confidence and motivation and equip them with the skills to succeed.

The Motiv8 project began in Lambeth as a result of listening to young people’s concerns about emerging gang culture, low aspirations and opportunities.

More information is available at www.freshvisions.org.uk.

Related topics: