transforming lives getThe twice yearly newsletterset! from Amber – Autumn 2014 Amber Editorial Amber offers the chance to do things and gain experience that may normally be very diffi cult to achieve

Once again it has been a busy six the chance to take part in, and have Surrey recognises youth achievements months, with many Amberteers fun doing, some of which you can read Amber is all about helping young experiencing and producing some about in this edition of Get Set. people overcome the obstacles that amazing things. You can also read about some of have previously stood in their way One of the main reasons Amberteers the ways in which people have and offering them a route from a come to Amber is to get the chance to supported Amber over recent months, sometimes chaotic lifestyle to one of sustainable independence. do things and gain experience that may including the hugely successful As part of this journey they often normally be very diffi cult to achieve. Amber Rocks, which took place in need support and encouragement All of the activities are designed to give London in May. Once again the event to build their self-esteem, and people useful life skills and something was hosted by Eddie Jordan, with the recognition for their achievements they will be able to draw on in the future. help of Jake Humphrey and we feel is crucial to achieving this. One such activity is the chance to go very fortunate to have Eddie and Jake At a recent ‘Celebration of Youth’ to Bulgaria to work in an orphanage, as Amber supporters. event, organised by Surrey Youth which is a real eye opener and a real We were also fortunate to be one of Focus, Amber was delighted to life changer. We have been working Paul McGinley’s charities for the Ryder see two of our young people – with the Bhagavat Educational Trust for Cup. It was a real honour for Amber to Damo and Toni - receive Young a number of years now and – without be supported by Paul, as captain of the Achievers Awards. These awards exception – the many people who have European Ryder Cup team, and what a recognise and celebrate the positive gone off to Bulgaria have come back fantastic result he achieved. contribution young people make to with a different view on life. their communities, even when they I hope you enjoy this edition of Get Set. fi nd themselves in very challenging There are, of course, many other situations. Well done to you both. activities that everyone at Amber has Charles Drew, Chief Executive Amber activities

Shark Bait Budding entrepreneurs July saw Earlier this year Team 2 at Ashley the annual Court decided they wanted to do raft race at something practical to help raise Lynmouth funds for Amber and hit upon and once the idea of setting up a tree again planter business. Amberteers decided to ‘We decided to build planters rise to the from scratch, using scaffolding challenge and enter a team. planks for the base and inner. We then line the boxes with “The fi rst thing we had to do was waterproof canvas before cladding decide on a theme to enter the them with half- round lengths of event. And between us we decided it timber. The canvas is used as it would be a great idea to construct a opens up other possible uses for beach theme with sharks and palm Camping on When night fell, we sat around the fi re the boxes such as storage, or even a trees. To start with we drew sharks and cooked marshmallows on sticks, little mini fi sh tank or pool! Finally, “In early October we went camping by and waves on bits of wood and cut and around 9.30 we decided to go we add some legs and make sure the East Okement River on Dartmoor them out using Jeff’s handy tools. bed. We all woke up at 9am and made it’s not wobbly. The fi nal product for one night. This was something our bacon rolls using the gas stoves, we is a lovely, well made, long-lasting We made a palm tree using fl ower team leader had suggested but at fi rst then started to pack away the tent and planter.’ Rosie, amberteer pots and cardboard leaves, before we where unsure about. We had a small clear the camp site of any rubbish, decorating them with spray paint. walk, just over two miles, to get to our The project was a steep learning leaving the camp site at 10am. Then came the challenge of painting camp site, where we arrived around curve for the team as most of them the raft, which we had to put several 6.30 and began to pitch up our tent. This turned out to be a lot more fun had never done anything like it coats of paint on. Then we had to than we had expected. We found it to before, but they rose to the challenge After pitching our tent we all took paint the sharks and waves which we be really peaceful and also helped us brilliantly and developed an effi cient part in cooking dinner – pasta and drilled into place. And then the fun to chill and get a new perspective on manufacturing process that starts with bolognaise – using gas camping part of getting the raft on the trailer, life and doing new things. We learnt measuring the planks and fi nishes with stoves. It turned out to be really nice. which was a nightmare!!’’ Johnny, about lighting fi res and how to make a a high quality product. We all pitched in and did the washing amberteer good campsite, which was helpful. We up, collected some stones from the To order a planter please contact would defi nitely do this again.’’ I think we are all agreed that their efforts river to make a border for a fi re and Ashley Court on 01769 581011 were worth it – they looked a treat! collected some wood. Jamie, amberteer Amber activities

Extreme Imagination

Four Amberteers from Ashley Court took part in a creative writing project this summer, which took place at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in , in partnership with ‘Stories Connect’ and the University of Exeter. The theme was the First World War and Rosie, Leah, Ashley and Phineas were all asked to analyse pictures around this theme and then write a detailed account of what they could see, examining the feelings and emotions that were captured in the pictures.

They also looked at poems, letters and diaries from WW1 and learnt to understand the concept of the text in relation to the history of the war. A Mary Rose Send Off for Sue Following on from this activity the four were tasked with creating their own Amber’s canal boat Mary Rose Sue’s departure prompted each letters, as if they were responding as a was in dry dock over the summer, centre to organise a ‘garden party’, family member to a soldier and taking undergoing a much-needed refi t with Bythesea Lodge choosing a the feelings of loved ones into account. that included signifi cant structural seaside theme to befi t their name. In October the work was displayed as work as well as new windows and a The day may have witnessed the part of the Extreme Imagination Festival: fresh coat of paint. She was much tail end of Hurricane Gonzalo but missed by the Amberteers, who use that didn’t stop everyone having “It was an emotional day and we were her regularly, but the wait was well a great time, participating in a all very proud of our work. It was an worth it – she now looks fantastic range of imaginative games created opportunity that we never thought that and her maiden voyage took place on by our teams of Amberteers, and we’d have, and thanks to those at the 21 October, to coincide with a fi nal enjoying a fantastic lunch of Stories Connect Project for making it Amber farewell to Fundraising & PR homemade fi sh and chips. You possible.” Rosie, amberteer Director Sue Crawford-Condie. could almost smell the sea! Amber volunteering

of the orphans. I met a little boy called Stefan, as soon as he seen me he took a shine to me and become very close during my time there. He couldn’t speak any English which made communicating diffi cult... I played a variety of sports with him like football we wanted to do. We decided that we and kickboxing. wanted to refurbish a corridor and decorate it with a sea theme…’ Zeth After two weeks and spending a lot of time with him, it came to the time ‘Dee a staff member from Farm Place that our hard work was over with and was amazing at art and drawings and the sadness of myself leaving him was we had asked her to sketch out some really hard... He came running up to me sea creatures on the wall for some of when I was leaving, he jumped up and the more steady handed members of cuddled me but when I put him down the group to paint in bright colours… he started to cry and the emotions as he everyone who had painted one ran off crying affected me in a way I’ve was absolutely dumbfounded and Once in a lifetime with their partners. The majority of the never felt before. I cried too.’ Ellis astounded by their own work, include orphans had no parents at all.’ Ellis In September a group of 11 myself many of us did not realise that ‘This trip was something I would Amberteers headed off to Bulgaria, ‘The fi rst day we woke up at half we could be so careful and artistic. recommend everyone should do once this time to volunteer at an orphanage seven and went downstairs for in their life, it was a remarkable During the duration of our project at in Elin Pelin, about 25 km from the breakfast, which was a continental experience I will never forget and I the orphanage we had time to interact capital Sofi a. Three of them tell us style breakfast of cold meats, bread, will not forget the friends that I have and socialise with the children, who cheese etc. After this we went to made both from Farm Place and about their ‘once in a lifetime trip’: ranged from 4-5 years old to 18-19 our team room and got acquainted Bulgaria. It was life changing and years old. We did things such as ‘The orphanage had about 50 orphans with the other Bulgarian staff and makes you think about many aspects football, playing little games, trying to there. Some of them were from did some language lessons and some of your life where you thought you explain some English to the children, unsettled backgrounds with parents team exercises as well as an outline were unprivileged but then you but not all of them as most of the older who could not afford to look after them, of what we are going to do. After this realise you had more than what you ones spoke a little English.’ Rosie some parents had them taken away we had lunch and made our way to thought. I hope and aim to return to because they was unfi t parents either the orphanage and had a guided tour ‘During our two weeks there I Bulgaria again and meet up with the through drink and drugs or from being of the building by the director, and became very close and formed strong friends I have had the pleasure of too poor and in abusive relationships then we sat down and decided what relationships and bonds with some meeting while I was there.’ Rosie Amber challenges

Capel Music Festival

In August, Amber was chosen as the main benefi ciary of the annual Capel Music Festival in Surrey, with Amberteers acting as volunteer car parking attendants Scavenging in the New Forest imagine each team was very keen such as leaves, feathers, acorns, pine across the weekend. The festival to win! cones etc – some of which were more is all about good music, local In September our centre manager village life and raising money for diffi cult than others to fi nd. set two teams from Bythesea Lodge Some of the more challenging things good causes and the Amberteers a challenge – a scavenger hunt in on the list included fi nding a forest Everyone really enjoyed the day out were thrilled to be a part of it. the New Forest. We were given a list ranger and having a photo taken team building and we all agreed that We were also delighted to offer of various items to fi nd and bring with them, and making a small boat we should do something like this on the committee a little Amber back, and a camera to take photos. out of paper and sticks and taking a a regular basis. hospitality in return when they The winning team would win a trip picture of it fl oating on water. We also visited Farm Place in October to Bath with lunch, so as you can had to bring back a range of items Janine, Team Leader and enjoyed a light supper and musical performance.

Farm Place ‘cook off’ instincts rose to the fore and it was “Every one of you deserve a very tough call, with two teams the brightest of futures! It has Luxury items such as Scottish fi nding themselves in a cook off fi nal. been an overwhelming privilege salmon are fi nding their way on to This will be held in November so that to meet you all.” Ali Holder, the Amber menu as we continue to team members absent on a charity Capel Music Festival benefi t from the support of Fareshare, cooking trip to France will be able to the food redistribution charity. And join the proceedings and contribute this summer we harvested some of some additional ‘savoir faire’! our own crops, including potatoes, beetroot and onions. Combined with the arrival of some lovely new hens, Amberteers at Farm Place were inspired to stage their own ‘cook off’ – with each team preparing a three course meal over three consecutive nights. Needless to say, competitive Amber fundraising

Keeping it in the family

A few weeks later Eddie’s daughter Zoe, a multi-talented fashion designer, organised a fashion evening to raise funds for Amber. Guests were invited to shop the SS14 collection ‘Pretty Vandals’ and new art works by Miranda Donovan, while enjoying music from DJ Miss G. Among the guests was fashion critic and journalist Sarah Mower, who interviewed two Amberteers – Kara, who had successfully moved Amber rocks again inspirational as they explained how on from Amber 18 months earlier they came to be at Amber and you for a career in catering and Natalie More than 250 guests attended a could have heard a pin drop whilst from Farm Place. The guests asked very special Amber Rocks this year, they spoke. lots of questions and the girls were which was once again hosted by Eddie then thrilled to be given one of Zoe Jordan – the inspiration behind what Amber would like to thank everyone Jordan’s fabulous tops as a thank you. has become an iconic event for Amber. who supported the event which, Eddie’s band The Robbers were joined together with the superb skill of by an amazing line up of musicians, auctioneer Charlie Ross, raised an Ryder Cup sensation headed by non-other than Van Morrison incredible £250,000!! who wowed everyone with his famous Congratulations to Paul McGinley and leadership, and an inspiration to ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ before performing and his Ryder Cup team for a us all. Well done and thank you! more recent but equally brilliant songs. sensational victory at Gleneagles in Other performers at this Rock ‘n’ Roll September. Amber is delighted to Lock-In were Rick Astley, Will and the be one of four benefi ciaries of The People, Hunter and the Bear, John McGinley Foundation, which was an Gallagher, Cholin Schatchat and poet Offi cial Charity of the event this year, Murray Lachlan-Young. and we followed the European side’s fortunes more keenly than ever over Before the music really hit the stage, the three days of the competition. It three Amberteers were interviewed was a brilliant example of team work by Jake Humphrey; they were totally Amber fundraising

A summer of sporting endeavour 800 metres I guessed there must be warmth further down the valley. Amber supporters sprang into action Besides it’s not often we get to travel this summer, raising funds in a variety at 50 mph plus...for so long.” Guy of ways - from 10k runs to Marathons and from leisurely bike rides to “Chapeau to Guy. That was a proper Pyrenean mountain ascents. We are time. The rest of us were all just about extremely grateful to everyone for their in the same 9.20 to 9.30 group. My commitment and congratulate you all excuse was the 90 minutes spent on your achievements. Here supporter huddled round a hot crepe cooker in the Claire Walker tells us why she chose village below Tourmalet getting rid of to run the Marathon for the shivers. But I did wear the dreaded Amber: Amber corset shirt as an extra layer on “When I decided to run the marathon, the descent from Hautacam!” Philip I knew straight away what charity “I was in that centre trying to warm up, I wanted to do it for. Training for the having helped a guy on Tourmalet who marathon was diffi cult but each time L’Etape du Tour 2014 tricky, although no cyclist expects an crashed in front of me, luckily at about I received a donation that reminded easy Etape! Despite the treacherous 10 kph, when he suffered a dizzy spell me why I was doing it and during the On 20 July, four dedicated Amber conditions, nearly 8,500 cyclists from hypothermia and just fell over marathon I knew I had raised over supporters set off to tackle the managed to complete the course and and lay on the ground still clipped £500 so I had to fi nish. I fi nished challenging L’Etape du Tour – a all four Amber participants made it into his pedals unable to move...To all my fi rst marathon in 5 hours and 32 cyclosportive that allows amateur be fi nishers in that nightmare is very minutes. I chose Amber because it is back safely. It was, without doubt, a cyclists to test their legs on the route impressive.’’ Mick a charity that is of one of the mountain stages of the tough endurance test for everyone, as close to my heart, Tour de France. our intrepid riders explain: “Wow – what a challenge! Apparently they helped two around one third of starters did not “The day for us was immense. The of my brothers The 22nd edition of the race covered complete the ride, we even discussed changes in temperature made it turn their lives a distance of 148 kilometres and not carrying on at one stage – so so much more interesting than I around. I think involved two of the Tour de France’s ‘chapeau’ to those who did manage most prestigious ascents – the Col du ever thought possible. Once up the the charity is to complete this incredible Tourmalet and the Hautecam. This Tourmalet I was determined to enjoy amazing and challenge!” Alan the descent and, well, ‘took my brain deserves all year, participants also had to contend the support it with unseasonal rain and fog, with out and joined in’. Despite the freeze- Our humble thanks to Guy, Philip, can get.” temperatures down to 10C - making drying effect that meant everyone Mick and Alan for making such a the descent from the Col particularly was shaking with cold after the fi rst remarkable effort. Amber partners

have been keen to help Amberteers Bull because I want to get my wings more practically. So in May, as part of and reach for the sky. I think I did well, Hilton’s global ‘Youth in Hospitality although the feedback was to talk more Month’, a group of Amberteers from about MY achievements rather than Bythesea Lodge attended an interview OUR achievements.” Reece, Amberteer. skills workshop. A helping hand from Hilton Following on from the workshop, “Before it started, we were briefed Reece and another Amberteer Karly Amber has been the chosen charity about the Hilton for ideas on our were both given two days’ work for the Hilton hotel in Swindon for interviews. We were also asked to experience at the hotel. Reece is the last four years and as well as choose from a list of shopping brands hoping to pursue a career in the raising vital funds for Amber the staff we would like to be and I chose Red hospitality business.

Dune delight Vodafone visit Going the extra Milestone Awesome Avnet

The latest Staff from Vodafone in the Southwest Earlier this year Milestone Operations For the third year running, Amber company to join enjoyed a team-building day at joined forces with Amber to deliver was delighted to be the chosen the End Youth Ashley Court in August, helping the first in a series of ‘employability’ charity supported by Avnet Homelessness out with a range of activities, workshops at their office in the West Technology Solutions at their (EYH) partnership including pond clearance and garden End. Amberteers from Farm Place took fabulous annual golf day at The was Dune London planter production. Following their part in the session, designed to teach Grove, Watford in September. and Amber has successful visit they decided they them the skills required to be successful Amber’s new Fundraising & PR been delighted to wanted to contribute something in securing a job in the future. Manager, Alison Williams, attended support a range of more to Amber and have now set the event, together with Amberteers “I found the course extremely helpful staff fundraising activities taking place themselves the challenge of raising Josh and Tristrum, and they all and very enjoyable. The exercises in and around stores in the South £2,000 towards a new minibus – any enjoyed an opportunity to look around were most useful as they enabled me and Southwest, including Guildford, sum they raise will then be matched the wonderful grounds and facilities and the others in the group to draw Exeter, Bath, Bristol and . by The Vodafone Foundation. as well as selling raffle tickets and on invaluable expertise from the three EYH is an alliance of charities working Needless to say, we wish them well giving a short presentation to the facilitators. I especially found the to get young people off the streets and with their fundraising efforts. assembled golfers. exercise on aspirations and goals most into employment. As well as offering useful as I was encouraged to set some Avnet’s Senior VP Miriam Murphy vital financial support, corporate goals and deadlines which has given me then spoke about the company’s partners are encouraged to offer some real drive, one of which I was able support for Amber and presented a mentorships, training schemes and to complete the following day!” cheque for £3,800, which was very work experience placements. Steve, Amberteer gratefully received! Amber successes

each other and shared some great my life – the orphans didn’t have memories of the staff and Amberteers much and no family, and I realised I from that time. What became clear was so privileged by comparison and was the lasting friendships young it made me want to change my life. people make while at Amber as Jax Not long after that I did a week with is still in contact with many of her The Prince’s Trust that my Team contemporaries today, reinforcing the Leader found for me and when I was positive impact of Amber’s supportive there a lady did a talk about the residential programme. Northern Racing College (NRC). I was Jax spent the day sharing her really into horses when I was young experiences and inspiring the current and one of my secret ambitions Amberteers. Before she left she was to own a horse one day, so I showed us a notebook that she always decided to apply for a place on their carries in her bag and at the back of residential Foundation Course, which the notebook was her current ‘Dreams I started in October. Whilst I was and Desires’! There have been many waiting for the course to start I also A lasting impression notebooks over the years but her goals did other activities through Amber and aspirations – the ‘Dreams and like The Rona Trust – I think the sail Earlier this year, a probation offi cer Trainee jockey Desires’ that are at the heart of what training experience has really helped was looking around the web for Amber teaches – always feature. I had a diffi cult background and I’m with my NRC training, and I’m also facilities to aid rehabilitation and she not very proud of some of the things a qualifi ed Watch now and plan to go came across the Amber website. This “Amber totally changed my I did. My Dad was abusive and I fell back to Rona next year to volunteer reminded her of just how benefi cial perspective and showed me what out with my Mum so I lived with with them. Amber had been in her own life, so is important in life. It taught me my Nan for a while but I got into she dropped us an email and a couple so many life skills, especially stealing...eventually we heard about “The NRC course includes six weeks of weeks later she was visiting us at communication and tolerance. These Amber so I contacted Ashley Court in a yard and then hopefully I may get Farm Place... life lessons have enabled me to get and they were able to pass me on to taken on permanently. I’ve seen my to where I am today and I am very Mum and she is ecstatic about what Jax was at Amber in 1997, just two Bythesea Lodge. Bubbles showed me grateful for that.’’ I’m doing now – she had the biggest years after Amber started, and she around and I ended up staying for about 9 months. smile on her face…’’ has gone from strength to strength Jax, an Amberteer in 1997 and now ever since. Amber’s Chairman and a Probation Offi cer. I was really lucky there, I did lots of Ashley, Amber success founder, Barty Smith, came to Farm trips, and one of the trips I did was to Place on the same day Jax visited Bulgaria last May. That really changed and they immediately recognised Amber successes It was plain to see that alcohol was a big problem in member of the house and this was recognised by giving his life, and Dan turned to crime in order to support him extra responsibilities, which he carried out well. his dependency. This started with ‘petty’ crimes but It took a while, but Dan also started to rebuild bridges escalated into street robberies and ABH. By the age with his family, and even went to visit them – something of 20 he was in prison with a long sentence hanging he hadn’t done for a few years. Dan also started to over his head. get involved with playing rugby and made new friends Dan heard about Amber and realised that if he was socially, who were accepting of him and welcomed him Finding a new direction in life released from prison without doing anything about it, into the fold. Dan grew up with his Dad after his parents split his alcohol addiction would lead to him repeating the Finally, a job opportunity came up and Dan went for up. Although he still had contact with his Mum pattern and he would end up back in prison...wasting it – a maintenance post at the local university. It was and siblings, Dan struggled. He started to drink his life. So he applied for a place and was accepted. a tense time for him but he was given a trial and got alcohol at 13, which led to him playing truant, Dan’s time at Amber wasn’t easy; there were the job! During this time, Dan also started to look for which in turn led to him being kicked out of demons that he had to face and obstacles he had to accommodation and while out with staff one day he home when he was 15 and living on the streets overcome. He struggled at fi rst, but then found his spotted a fl at ‘to let’, which he applied for and got. for a year. focus and put his efforts into his future...a future he Things had at last fallen into place and a year to the Inevitably, Dan started mixing with the wrong crowd hadn’t been able to see before. day that he started at Amber, Dan left to move into and his drinking habit worsened. He was drinking One of the things that Dan found he enjoyed at Amber his own accommodation, secure in the knowledge alcohol every day to an alarming degree, and felt was the variety of maintenance and construction that he had a job he enjoyed. His dream of fi nding he needed drink just to get through the day. Dan type projects that he worked on with his Team and a new direction in life had become a reality. had no motivation and his self-esteem and self- he discovered that he had a particular aptitude for confi dence were extremely low. Dan, Amber success this type of work. In time he became a well-respected

Perseverance pays off especially after his previously chaotic Eventually, Jarren volunteered to go to lifestyle. However, Jarren really Bulgaria to help with the painting of Jarren started at Amber in June persevered and after a few months a local orphanage and returned with a 2013. He was referred to us by the his behaviour had drastically changed transformed outlook on life. He left us Prolifi c Offender Team because he for the better and he started to be in July, having secured employment in had committed a number of offences proactive in helping other residents to the building trade. He is now engaged to pay for his drug addiction. At fi rst overcome their issues and participate and his partner is expecting their fi rst Jarren found it diffi cult to adhere in everything Amber has to offer. This child. to Amber’s rules and he had a few included helping to set up the ‘Amber problems settling down to a routine, Jarren, Amber success Allstars’ 5-a-side football team. Amber news amberweb.org

Amber, Intercity Trading Estate, Shurnhold, Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 8DE Telephone 01225 792619 Fax 01225 792629

Amber, Ashley Court, , EX18 7EX Telephone 01769 581011 Fax 01769 581379

Amber, Bythesea Lodge, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8HR Telephone 01225 759900 Fax 01225 759909

Amber, Farm Place, Stane Street, Ockley, Dorking, Surrey RH5 5NG Telephone 01306 627927 Fax 01306 627426

Email [email protected] Registered Charity Number 1051388