Fund Future Leaders in the cost of living crisis

Aim

Help us empower the young people we work with to engage with our programmes, by providing materials our students now struggle to afford.

We are Villiers Park and we empower young people to reach their life ambitions. Help us to change their lives across the UK.

Cost of living project update

Thank you so much to everyone has donated so far. All £500 and gift aid received so far will go directly towards the costs of refreshments for our workshops and events next term. It means we can make sure that all workshops and university trips are fully catered. And this is all thanks to you!

 A note from our Interim Chief Executive, Gaby Sumner

“We are so grateful for your support and your funding is going to make a huge difference to young people, who may be having to choose between a meal or working towards their future. We are well on our way to hitting our target…but we’re not there yet! Help us care for the students across all our hubs at this difficult time by donating to our campaign.”

Who are we?

We believe every young person should have an equal opportunity to reach their potential. In reality, young people’s background often determines where they end up. The UK has one of the worst rates of social mobility in the developed world. Our education system is failing millions of young people.

Villiers Park are experts in working with young people aged 14-19 from underrepresented backgrounds. We support young people to explore their possible selves, navigate education and career pathways, and expand their horizons. We believe every young person should have an equal opportunity to excel at school, at university and into their careers.

What is the problem? 

Now more than ever, young people we work with are struggling to meet the most basic needs. Students are skipping meals and education sessions to take on extra shifts after school. The cost-of-living crisis means that resources are stretched more than ever. Just meeting basic food and energy costs leave little to spend on learning resources, equipment or travel. After the pressures of the past three years, our students are exhausted and struggling.  Not only does skipping sessions affect young people's progress, but by missing out on basic needs, students cannot fully concentrate and benefit from the work we do with them.

You can help us keep young people engaged and empowered. 

Our cost-of-living project will pay for refreshments, meals and learning materials in our after-school sessions, so that students will not only achieve basic needs, but they can concentrate and fully engage with the Future Leaders Programme.

“The Villiers Park Programme made a real difference to the choices I made. My Coach, Dan, talked me through the different options and then helped me apply for my apprenticeship, as well as giving me tips on how to communicate and how to stand out. I was able to talk about the things I’d done with Villiers Park during my interviews. Villiers Park helped increase my confidence and my ability to speak to people.” 

About the Future Leaders programme:

The Future Leaders Programme supports young people aged 14-19 from under-represented backgrounds to plan pathways to their ambitions, and develop the behaviours, skills and knowledge they need to fulfil their potential.

It does this by supporting Future Leaders to develop a greater range of "possible selves" through new opportunities, experiences, and self-reflection. Achieving success and overcoming challenges helps nurture self-belief, making their desired options seem realistic and attainable.

Our unique four-year programme combines coaching, subject-specific courses and student-led projects, enabling Future Leaders to map out what they need to achieve their goals and make informed education, career and life choices.  We support 400 Future Leaders every year and deliver education projects in collaboration with schools, colleges and charities across the country that benefit thousands of young people.

What we need: 

We need to provide every young person we work with refreshments and learning materials across our Future Leaders sessions and educational workshops this year. This eases the pressure on families through the cost of living and helps our students at this difficult time. These basic provisions will enable students to participate fully in our programmes and help them to look beyond the pressures of the day-to-day to achieving their future goals.

• £25 will provide a drink and snack for 10 students taking part in a coaching or mentoring session
•  £100 will provide lunch and refreshments to 20 students in one workshop
• £500 will fund meals for every session in Swindon during Apprenticeship week

Why our work is so important

After their work with Villiers Park: 

• 95% of students say their confidence has improved
• 97% of students felt the passion for their subjects had increased
• 96% of students felt their communication skills had improved

This project successfully funded on 17th January 2023