Employability/Confidence Workshop for SEND/NEET Young People
Deb Such
Development Officer at Young Leicestershire
It’s taken me a couple of days to write this article because I didn’t want it to just be a, to the point, short paragraph, about an event that we pulled together. This was an event with a difference. It was…to coin a phrase…Utopian (highly desirable or near perfect)!
I want you, the reader, to smile, the way I smiled, the way the youth workers smiled, the mentors smiled and MOST importantly…The way the young people smiled! I wanted to capture the shear joy of being in a room full of positive energy, where everyone celebrated in the successes of those magnificent young people and what they achieved.
There are 14 million disabled people in the UK. Everyone knows they are there…social media has helped highlight many disabilities over the years, as those with disabilities, video or blog what it’s like living with Tourette’s or ADHD etc. Often these videos are by younger people, laughing at themselves, whist ticking and trying to do some baking or trying to sing and inevitably swearing. However, the harsh truth of it all is, those with disabilities are not fully integrated into our society, no matter how much we like to think they are and being able to be open about their, worries, difficulties and anxieties, is still seen as a taboo subject, and we want to break down those barriers and improve those opportunities – dispelling that taboo…One event at a time. The following was one such event!
If you have never worked with those with disabilities or have a disability effect someone you know or love, you may well go about your daily life, not giving it another thought. That’s not a criticism by the way, it’s just life! Many of the mentors I spoke to at the event felt daunted at the thought of finding themselves working with young people with special educational needs and disabilities, some felt a little awkward, not knowing what to expect. However, as they soon found out, it does not have to be that way. The young people just needed more encouragement than their mainstream counterparts, maybe a rephrase here and there but the struggles they may have, are superseded by their enthusiasm, zest for learning and larger than life characters – Being disabled doesn’t mean someone is incapable!
Graham from Humanutopia guided the mentors and the young people through the day, like a modern-day Willy Wonka…With awe and wonder. The mentees (young people) filed into the room, some looking, self-conscious and full of anxiety, others wary of what the day might bring and unsure as to weather it was going to be something they would enjoy, or even commit to taking part in. Hoodies were up, hats were on (even gloves in some cases), many looking at the floor and trying to make themselves as small as possible.
Greeted by the smiling faces of the mentors, and the goofy (as one young person later described Graham) larger than life scouser – It was hard for the young people to keep UP those barriers they had built up, and before long, they were taking part in several, fun, engaging activities, designed to help them see their potential and future selves in a positive light. The young people were having so much fun, they almost hadn’t realised they had travelled around the room, engaging and talking to different mentors, not just the one they had been given for the day…In fact they had introduced themselves to at least 10 by the end of the event. Some young people found the courage to stand in front of everyone, on the stage with a microphone and share past experiences. They also shared their hopes and dreams for their future. There were times during the day when those of us watching, and the mentors, were brought to tears by, not just what they had heard but also by seeing the changes in demeanour and the progress made in confidence and self-belief for these marginalised young people.
These are some quotes from the young people’s experience of the day:
“You must find the courage inside to push forwards for better things and make your own choices, shaping yourself into the person you want to be and the life you want to live.”
“No matter what the past was but all u have to do is keep looking forward.”
“I found it useful, I will try to forget about the past and focus on my future and he was a inspiration to me.”
“Stop worrying about the past instead move forward”
NOW FOR THE THANK YOUS…
Graham Moore from Humanutopia, a BIG thank you from the bottom of my heart for the difference you made to our young people and all of the young people around the world you work with – we WILL cross paths again!
A BIG thank you to Hayley Betts, Michelle Johns O’Brien, and the team from Coca-Cola Europacific for the Building Connections Programme and for giving us such a fantastic 2 years of support, to look at the barriers to employment for these young people – please feel free to continue this path with us!
Thank you to Lauren Oliver, Deborah Sciortino and the team from UK Youth for having the faith in us to be your go-to delivery partners.
And last but not least – Thank you to Jay Wootten and the Mentors from Hastings Direct for being fantastic hosts, mentors, and for connecting us to Humanutopia and for being all round good eggs!
Foot note:
A lack of education and awareness are the biggest contributors to discrimination. Our actions shape future views – let’s normalise disability. With the right support, disabled people can achieve and live fulfilling lives. I really hope more people will not be afraid to talk about disability in the future, and more employment opportunities will become open to those with disabilities, in order for us to truly be, an inclusive society.
Deb Such – Development Officer & SENCo
Young Leicestershire