Update for Inner Flame Supporters
I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well.
It’s been a busy few weeks for us. I’m so proud of the way that Elizabeth (Operations Manager), and our staff and volunteers, have responded to the challenge. We’ve spent this time re-planning, and I’m aware that we’re overdue to let you know what’s happening.
At our first crisis management meeting, we had to address stopping Team Programme (which provides most of our income), and cancelling Young Champions (our major fundraiser of the year). Could the organisation continue to operate, even to survive?
Yet the need for support is even greater right now, with young people facing:
- Fewer opportunities in employment and education,
- Anxiety about their future, as well as about COVID-19,
- The threat that social isolation, and loss of purpose, pose to their mental health.
Our funders (particularly Lloyds Bank Foundation) and main partners (Prince’s Trust and New College) have allowed us flexibility to deliver services differently to meet the needs of young people., has developed a new plan based on online delivery, through Zoom and other applications, advised by a new supporter – local business, Agility in Mind. Here’s what we’re doing:
- Prince’s Trust Team Programme: Kayhlan, our Team Leader, quickly switched to online delivery and is on track to enable everyone to complete the current programme successfully. We don’t currently see ourselves delivering Team until September at the earliest, as the compromises would be too great.
- Prince’s Trust Personal Development and Employability Programme: By the end of this month, we will have adapted this programme for delivery online, and for ages 19+. This 60-hour group training offers a range of topics such as personal development, healthy living and money management, empowering participants to keep their lives moving forward.
- “Manage Anxiety – Your Way”: This new programme, based upon CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and the 5 Steps to Wellbeing, helps young people find ways to take care of their own mental wellbeing. It involves small group meetings, over 8 weeks, plus 1-1 support. It is being adapted for online delivery (and constraints on outside activities).
We are considering other ways we can support young people, including online mentoring. If you would like to be involved, please let me know.
Fundraising We mustn’t forget to have fun, especially now. Our Young Champions dinner is postponed to 2nd October (provisionally); if you would like to reserve a table (fully refundable or transferable), please contact me. We’re also working on a new, fun challenge event for teams.
Thank you for your ongoing support. And, to young people and everyone who is worrying about the current situation, I offer the ancient wisdom: “This too shall pass”.
David Wreathall
Founder and Chair of Trustees