How the Newground Together charity helps people and communities

Sam’s journey to confidence

With 100% of our business profits going directly to charitable causes through our parent charity, this section focuses on how our charity’s Multiply programme, funded by your support, has helped Sam.

Sam was referred to the Multiply programme by his Employment & Skills (E&S) advisor to improve his maths skills. Being autistic and experiencing anxiety, he initially had very low confidence in speaking to others. He often spoke in whispers, hid behind his hand, wore a hat, and displayed signs of nervous anxiety.

When it came to meeting Sam for the first time, our team immediately worked out the best approach was short-term, one-on-one support sessions, specifically in maths. Over time, our charity began to build trust with Sam, using football as a way to break down communication barriers. As Sam began to open up, his self-awareness improved and his anxiety lessened.

Sam’s commitment and the personalised support he received resulted in remarkable progress in his maths skills. By December 2023, he successfully earned his Level 1 Maths qualification with an outstanding score. Although his participation in the Restart programme had concluded by then, Sam’s confidence had increased so much that he started contemplating employment.

But our charity didn’t want to stop there. Recognising Sam’s potential, they didn’t want to just stop supporting him. Therefore, the team introduced Sam to another one of our charity’s programmes, Next Steps Together (NST).

The NST programme gave Sam the opportunity to undertake an accredited employability course, where during the sessions, his confidence began to grow. Remarkably, Sam gave a short presentation as part of the course, a huge milestone for Sam considering the initial anxiety and reluctance to speak.

His previous Restart Advisor noted the dramatic transformation, barely recognising the new, more confident Sam.

Following a successful completion of the employability course, Sam went on to earn another qualification. Sam then took the leap and enrolled in an accredited ICT course. He is now finalising his portfolio for this course, which will earn him yet another qualification.

We’re so pleased to see the change in Sam and the impact our charity has had on him. Without your support, we really couldn’t do any of this.

Today, Sam demonstrates humour, increased confidence, and a positive outlook on his future. His journey from a nervous, withdrawn individual to a confident, proactive participant in various programmes highlights the transformative impact of personalised support and encouragement.

 

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From anxiety to confidence: Sharon’s story with our charity

At The Flood Hub People, we’re dedicated to supporting initiatives that transform lives.

In this month’s social value update, we share the story of Sharon, an 18-year-old who, after completing her A-Levels, found herself in Halifax, a town where she was a stranger.

Struggling with social anxiety and low self-confidence, Sharon found it difficult to make new friends and was hesitant to pursue job opportunities, even though she had a strong passion for working with animals. However, following a referral to our charities, Moving Forward Together (MFT) programme , Sharon’s live began to change.

Due to her anxiety, Sharon initially needed her father’s support to attend meetings. Recognising her challenges, Mansib Siam, Newground Together’s Employment and Skills Advisor, stepped in to facilitate the appointments. Understanding the importance of building Sharon’s confidence, they collaborated on creating a SMART action plan tailored to help her gain employment and overcome her social barriers. This plan marked the beginning of Sharon’s journey towards independence and self-assurance.

One of the first steps in Sharon’s journey was encouraging her to join gym sessions. This initiative aimed to push her out of her comfort zone, helping her to socialise and boost her self-esteem. This seemingly simple activity became a catalyst for Sharon’s transformation. Over time, as her confidence grew, Sharon reached a significant milestone—she began attending her appointments independently, a remarkable achievement given her initial struggles with social anxiety.

The gym sessions had a profound impact on Sharon. As she became more comfortable, she started to interact with other participants in the MFT programme, and her confidence steadily grew. Activities that once seemed daunting, like taking selfies and videos, became part of her routine, highlighting the significant strides she made in overcoming her social anxiety and embracing her newfound self-assurance.

With her growing confidence, Sharon and Mansib turned their focus to refining her CV, making it more attractive to potential employers. This effort quickly bore fruit, as Sharon received several interview invitations. Together, they worked diligently to prepare, practicing potential interview questions and answers to ensure Sharon felt confident in presenting her best self. This preparation was key to her feeling ready and capable of succeeding in the job market.

The hard work and dedication culminated in Shannon securing a role as an animal care assistant. This achievement was not just a job but a realisation of her dream to work with animals. Shannon was overjoyed and felt a real sense of achievement.

The support from the MFT programme extended well beyond just helping Shannon secure a job. She continued to flourish, having completed over six months in her new role and now aiming to build a lasting career in animal care. Her confidence grew significantly, and she stayed committed to her gym sessions, which continued to enhance her social skills and self-esteem.