Trustmatters Learning to Feel Good All Aboard! Mentoring Service

The Surrey Care Trust Newsletter | Winter 2015 - Spring 2016 Trustmatters Learning to feel good All Aboard! Mentoring Service

FULL MARKS FOR BETH Mainstream school can pose all sorts of problems for some students: large classes, lack of personal attention and constant distractions can be overwhelming and lead to poor behaviour. That’s why our alternative education STEPS to 16 programme, at our Learning Centre in Woking, can provide a more suitable education for young people aged 14-16 who have struggled in a mainsteam school. A high staff to student ratio and greater emphasis on practical learning such

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continued from front page We are grateful to the following 9 as cooking, hairdressing organisations for recent grants, and gardening helps our young donations and support. students to embrace education People’s Postcode Trust for supporting once again. work in the garden at Stanwell Sure Start Practical education such as cooking helps our Children’s Centre, including artificial grass But while there’s lots to do young students to embrace learning again to make it accessible all-year round. that doesn’t involve a pen and A2 Dominion for paying for two of our paper, we haven’t forgotten the Children’s Centre team to train in the highly-regarded 1-2-3 Magic parenting importance of the 3 Rs either. programme. Students spend at least six levels and behaviour. She explains Community Foundation for Surrey and The hours per week improving their why STEPS to 16 is making such a Albert Hunt Trust, for supporting the cost of functional skills in English and employing an assistant trainer. difference: Maths, with the aim of achieving Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust for “I couldn’t cope at a big school. I a minimum level one City and supporting the garden project at STEPS to didn’t like it so I never got on with 16 and Johnson Wax Limited Charitable Guilds qualification which is my work; I’d go on my phone and Trust for supporting sporting activities. recognised by colleges and stuff or I’d get into an argument. Surrey High Sheriff Youth Awards for employers. funding an 11 week course teaching young It’s much better here, you get people on our STEPS to 16 programme Our tutors teach English and more help. I know I wouldn’t basic motor mechanics and practical Maths in practical contexts so that engineering skills. be concentrating or achieving students understand why learning as much if I was still at the big Community Foundation for Surrey also these is so important. Students supporting our mentoring work with school. may be asked to work out the ex-offenders and people vulnerable to I want to be a hairdresser and, being drawn into offending in East Surrey. correct change or to calculate the although I really enjoy practising Thames Heritage Trust for supporting the area of a garden for example: work of Swingbridge. hairstyles in the salon here, important skills for those who I know I need to get English Wates Family Enterprise Trust for want to pursue a career in retail supporting our core team. and Maths if I want to study or in landscape gardening. Guildford Symphony Orchestra for the hairdressing at college when I retiring collection from their Beethoven Beth, who is 15, has just joined leave here. I’m learning a lot Concerto concert. our STEPS to 16 programme. more now.” Duck Race sponsors: Baker Tilly, Blue Tree She has already made huge Recruitment, Careswell Property Services, improvements in her attendance s! Chapters Financial, Dolphin Head, GCL Thank Solicitors, Projectfive, Runnymede Homes, Morrisons Solicitors, Roffe Swayne, TWM Solicitors, Waitrose, Stihl UK, Business Law Online, Brooklands Princes Trust, Plan A, If your school wants to find out more about referrals to our Denbies and JS2. Look for this symbol STEPS to 16 programme, contact Anne Fice on 01483 487037. s! TRUST MATTERS page 2 Thank M AKE A DIFFERENCE Make a Difference 4 Trustmatters LEARNING TO FEEL GOOD AGAIN Each week, a busy children’s and others who are unemployed acknowledge their individual centre in west Surrey welcomes a or have fewer than five GCSEs, positive attributes. group of particularly vulnerable with the tools they needed to Buoyed by their new found self- mothers. boost their self-esteem and get confidence, three parents found One is recovering from domestic back into work or education. employment after the first course abuse, two others have chaotic Using a combination of group and while the two parents with chaotic home lives which have led to their individual exercises, discussion home lives have established more children being placed on child and role playing, the parents positive relationships with their protection plans, some do not attending were able to recognise children which means they are no speak English as a first language confidence and self-esteem in longer on child protection plans. and four mums are struggling to themselves and others as well cope as single parents. Low self-esteem and a lack of confidence is something that they all have in common. This year the Trust has delivered confidence building courses at the Children’s Centre aimed at eqipping these vulnerable parents,

Feedback from the courses has been overwhelmingly positive and Surrey Care Trust is hoping to offer back to work and first aid courses in the new year.

Image shows models: Photo credit iStock.com “Very informative course. It has given me the chance to spend a bit of “Thank you. It has been time thinking about me. “The best part was a real eye opener for me And learn to value myself learning different ways because I was sceptical more. It has made me to deal with situations, on how you could teach happier about myself learning how to say no to confidence, but it was which will therefore make benefit myself more.” very surprising how much my family happier.” I have learnt.”

TRUST MATTERS page 3 M AKE A DIFFERENCE Make a Difference 4 ALL ABOARD FOR RIVER TRIPS

s! ALONG THE WEY Thank Each spring and summer, small groups from a wide range of organisations enjoy a relaxing day on the river on our community boat. These day trippers are usually not able to enjoy the simple pleasure of letting the world flow gently by

for a few hours because they Mike Griffiths, Chris Padmore and Bryan Craddock receive the Mayor’s Award for Access are disabled, but Swingbridge1 from the Mayor of Guildford. has been specially adapted to In October, Surrey Care Trust The criteria prescribed by the comfortably accommodate people received the Mayor’s Award Access Group for an award with limited mobility. for Access from the Mayor of is high and those nominated As well as giving people a great Guildford, Councillor Nikki must achieve or exceed that day out, Swingbridge trips Nelson-Smith, for Swingbridge1. standard. Swingbridge1 is a help to fund our vital work to The Award recognises groups 40ft broadbeam boat with help disadvantaged people to or individuals who help make an all-weather canopy, and is turn their lives around through venues more accessible to all or equipped with a wheelchair lift training, mentoring and provide support to those with an so it is fully accessible for people education. illness or disability. with limited mobility. Up to three

A group from Disability Initiative enjoyed their trip along the River Wey TRUST MATTERS page 4 M AKE A DIFFERENCE Make a Difference 4 Trustmatters

s! Thank

Following its recent interior refurbishment, Stanwell wheelchairs can be accommodated and a newly Children’s Centre‘s garden has also fitted kitchen allows more space to manoeuvre. It is had a make-over thanks to funding crewed entirely by volunteers. from the People’s Postcode Lottery Trust. Our community boats were nominated: “In particular, for the fantastic community work A new artificially turfed area underlaid with a you undertake in the provision of trips to the support pad will enable comfortable year-round elderly and young from all kinds of community play outside and there is a brand new sandpit organisations and residential homes.” too. The two-hour trips depart from the National Trust’s The Children’s Centre also has a fresh new look Dapdune Wharf in Guildford on the River Wey with a contemporary logo. at 10.30am and 1.30pm every day through the The 2015/16 programme has had a revamp too spring, summer and early autumn. with new classes including Music Matters with MAD Academy, a mixture of high energy music To book a trip or to volunteer as a crew member, contact and dance, combined with carefully structured our Swingbridge Co-ordinator Chris Padmore on 07973 learning to give children an opportunity to 282239 or email [email protected] develop motor skills, physical co-ordination and confidence. “Thank-you for looking after us Also new for 2015/16 is a free Legal Advice Clinic so well on our trip yesterday. and a 24hr helpline. Stanwell Children’s Centre is the only centre in Surrey currently offering this All of our clients really enjoyed service. the relaxed atmosphere on the For more information, visit boat and appreciated the tea www.stanwellchildrenscentre.co.uk and coffee. Robin hasn’t stopped or call 01784 241407. telling everyone about his experience on the tiller!” TRUST MATTERS page 5 M AKE A DIFFERENCE Make a Difference 4

No longer on thin ice

Reece is articulate, warm and expressive. When he’s chatting and laughing with John in a coffee shop you might think that they were just chilling out together over a chocolate frappuccino.

But Reece is actually in the coffee that something had to change Reece adds: “There’s less on my shop to let off steam, to share his otherwise next time it would be mind now. Somehow, through frustrations about his damaged much worse” says Reece. these meetings I seem to be able relationship with his mother, to Reece was matched with John, to help myself more.” try and manage his anger. John is who has been mentoring for Reece says he wants to be an ice in fact his mentor. Surrey Care Trust for four years. road trucker when he’s older, and John and Reece have been Their weekly sessions have acted thanks to his mentor, the future meeting for over a year. Reece, as a release valve for Reece’s certainly seems a lot clearer now. who is 16, was referred to Surrey frustrations and anger. Our mentoring work is with Care Trust’s mentoring service John says: “I’m really proud of vulnerable young people and following an incident at home Reece; I don’t underestimate how adults who value the support with his mum, which resulted in difficult it is for him to open up of someone independent to his arrest. about these things. He’s come a “My mum drinks and my anger long way since I’ve been seeing help them in making positive got the better of me. I went him and he’s got some great changes. Call Gemma Seldon through the roof and I ended GCSE results including ‘C’s in the on 01483 426990 or 07771 up getting arrested. Luckily I important subjects of English and 961619 to find out more wasn’t prosecuted but I realised Maths.” about this service or about becoming a volunteer mentor.

TRUST MATTERS page 6 Make Someone’s Future Brighter this Summer4 Trustmatters WE HAVE PLACES IN NEXT YEAR’S LONDON AND SURREY HALF MARATHONS, BRITISH Thanks to QCG & tics 10K AND RIDE LONDON Broanmain Plas for their event contact us for more information sponsorship! EVENTS

£300,000 each year to support our vital services. “I really enjoy MORE EVENTS being a mentor; it’s so satisfying to help a young person to work through their problems and become more confident.” 2016 Surrey Half Marathon Also going the extra mile were Woking the bosses of the event sponsor Sunday 13 March Inspired by the work of the Trust, volunteer Mentor Broanmain Plastics, Wilf and Target sponsorship £100 Kevin Small (pictured right) took part in the 2015 Jo Davis. They didn’t only give Surrey 3 Peaks walk. financial support, but they also Virgin London Marathon provided lunch for every single Sunday 24 April UP, UP AND walker and volunteer. Minimum sponsorship £1500 Next year we’re aiming to go British 10K London Run AWAY higher... more walkers and more Sunday 10 July Surrey 3 Peaks walkers complete peaks... so make a note in your Target sponsorship £150 marathon walk for charity diary for Saturday 24 September, Ride London - Surrey People from across Surrey took tell your friends and get ready for the Surrey 5 Peaks! Sunday 31 July part in one of Surrey’s toughest Minimum sponsorship £750 challenges, the annual Surrey 3 Peaks marathon-length walk, organised by Surrey Care Trust, and sponsored by Surrey manufacturer UNLOCKING Broanmain Plastics, on Saturday 26 September. POTENTIAL Join us for a unique fundraising Between them the walkers clocked lunch at The Clink Restaurant, up over 850 miles on the circular Her Majesty’s Prison High Down, route from Shere, raising at least Sutton on Friday 26 February £9,000 for Surrey Care Trust. 2016. Enjoy seasonal produce Kevin Small is a volunteer mentor cooked and served by prisoners for the Trust and, inspired by the who participate in The Clink positive changes he has seen in his Restaurants’ training scheme, mentee, wanted to help raise funds with guest speaker Crispin Blunt for the charity which needs to raise MP. For more information or to book a place, email [email protected] or call Kirsty Newton on 07748 963617

Surrey is M AKE A a county where DIFFERENCE wealth and opportunity are neighbours to disadvantage. Thousands of young people and adults in STEPS to 16 programme, or like Reece, who is Surrey are disadvantaged by low skills, lack keeping out of trouble and managing to cope of opportunity, setbacks in life and precarious with difficult circumstances at home thanks to economic circumstances. People like Beth, who his volunteer mentor. Together we can make a is embracing education once again through our difference.

You can make a difference to the futures of thousands of local people by making a donation, taking part in a fundraising event or volunteering your time. Find out more at www.surreycaretrust.org.uk

DONATE ONLINE: www.make-a-difference.online or by texting MADE25 £5 to 70070 to make a £5 donation. Or you can donate by cheque to Surrey Care Trust at The Crescent, Heathside Crescent, Woking GU22 7AG or by BACS to Surrey Care Trust a/c 00017988 Sort Code: 40-52-40.