July 23, 2010: LifeLine nominated as finalist in Third Sector Excellence Awards 2010!
LifeLine have been nominated as a finalist in the Third Sector Awards for the second year running, under the category of ‘Public Sector Partnership’ with London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Following last year’s success where LifeLine’s fundraising team were highly commended, we are thrilled to be rubbing shoulders with nationally recognised charities at this year’s awards. There were 329 entries for 23 awards, so the 27 expert judges for this year's Third Sector Excellence Awards had their work cut out. They spent a day in the boardroom of Haymarket, Third Sector's publisher, sifting through entries and debating the merits of the best examples of voluntary sector excellence.
The resulting shortlist of 87 entries reflects work and achievement across the whole spectrum of the third sector, from big names such as Cancer Research UK to small regional organisations and social enterprises.
The next step is the awards night itself, which will be held at the Lancaster London hotel on Thursday 23 September.
LifeLine have been nominated as a finalist in the Third Sector Awards for the second year running, under the category of ‘Public Sector Partnership’ with London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.Following last year’s success where LifeLine’s fundraising team were highly commended, we are thrilled to be rubbing shoulders with nationally recognised charities at this year’s awards. There were 329 entries for 23 awards, so the 27 expert judges for this year's Third Sector Excellence Awards had their work cut out. They spent a day in the boardroom of Haymarket, Third Sector's publisher, sifting through entries and debating the merits of the best examples of voluntary sector excellence.
The resulting shortlist of 87 entries reflects work and achievement across the whole spectrum of the third sector, from big names such as Cancer Research UK to small regional organisations and social enterprises.
The next step is the awards night itself, which will be held at the Lancaster London hotel on Thursday 23 September.
July 13, 2010: The VIP Challenge
On the 13th July, LifeLine gathered together a group of thirty 14-19 year olds who have benefitted from the Inspire Mark-winning VIP (Vision, Identity, Purpose) Mentoring Programme to address an audience of politicians, business advisors, voluntary sector organisations and charities, as well as members of the organising committee of the Olympic Games. The young people, many of whom had previously been NEET (not in education, employment or training) or at high risk of becoming NEET, spoke about some of the issues that they had faced and shared their innovative solutions that had been sparked by the VIP Mentoring Programme. Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Children and Families, was the keynote speaker and expressed his delight at the outcomes of the VIP programme saying that it was truly great that young people had developed a model of engagement that successfully effected change in the community. He took the opportunity to invite LifeLine to join policy makers at ‘the top table’.
The event started with two songs from X-Factor 2009 finalist Stacey Solomon, who said “being a young Mum is a really tricky job, but staff at LifeLine’s Castle Green Children’s Centre helped me at a time when I needed it and gave me confidence that I could pursue my dreams”
The object of the event was twofold: to celebrate the achievements of the young people and to invite audience members to become part of the Olympic legacy by doing something to make a difference in their community. The young people used the positive impact they have been able to have on their communities to challenge attendees to follow their lead.
LifeLine developed the VIP Mentoring Programme in response to some of the needs that local young people were expressing. One mentor, PJ Cole, grew up in the middle of a violent civil war in Sierra Leone, West Africa. His parents ran a successful rehabilitation project, working with child soldiers who had been caught up in the atrocities. Many were maimed, orphaned, had been abused or mistreated, had addictions and had even committed murder, before they were found and adopted by PJ's parents. PJ shared much of his childhood with these child soldiers and learned not to condemn, but to see a positive future for each individual.
Today PJ is part of a team running LifeLine's VIP Mentoring Programme for 14-18 year olds at a Dagenham secondary school. The programme is designed for young people facing difficulties in different aspects of their lives - they may be having difficulty staying in school, facing problems at home, fighting addictions, anger or self control issues or on probation. The programme seeks to help young people to make good choices and to see their real identity aside from their issues and behaviour. "It's not something I see as a job," said PJ, "but as an opportunity to show them there is another way. It's really exciting because you can actually see their future changing front of your eyes. Young people that would otherwise be out of school by the end of the year are still in school, not just attending but turned around, with new reputations, different behaviour, different aspirations and contributing valuably to the school community."
Young people in Dagenham are being reformed thanks to the Mentoring Programme. One 16 year old had been excluded from her previous school. She was very negative about her new school community and didn't see any possibility of achieving academically. In the time she has been attending the mentoring group there has been "a remarkable change." PJ added, “now she's trying to complete her A Levels to go to University and become a teacher, because she says she wants to help other people!"
One student speaking at the event said "I have learnt that I can be different and choose a different way - not reacting to situations but making sure that I am in control and respond rightly. The course has helped me control my anger and behaviour in class. Since year 7 I have had bad reports at every parents evening, but this year I had good reports. I want to thank my mentor"
PJ said, "Circumstances and life can cause us to make bad choices. But our message and the message of some of these young people is that your past does not have to determine your future."
The concept of the Mentoring Programme evolved from LifeLine's other VIP youth programmes which are based on seeing a young person's potential, and engendering a sense of individual value and purpose in them.
LifeLine was awarded the Inspire Mark, which is awarded to community groups that work with young people and run activities that seek to leave a legacy after the 2012 Olympic Games, for its suite of activities which make up the VIP experience for young people including:
SW!TCH ID events: regular constructive community flashmobs and SW!TCH Academy, a weekly training and planning session for SW!TCH ID regularly attended by 27 young people.
Community and Family Days run by young people for the community (five so far).
VIP Volunteering Training: 19 young people received peer mentor training, 40 young people received VIP mentoring. 5 young people lead their peers on a regular basis.
Three of LifeLine’s Institute Students have recently been selected to become youth ambassadors for the Olympics. They are charged with making sure the younger voices of the local community are heard during the organisation and run up to the 2012 Olympics.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “The VIP Programme is encouraging young people to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as LifeLine are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in helping young people to realise their Vision, Identity and Purpose in life.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:
“The Olympics is ripe with opportunities for young people and I want kids from every part of London to seek ways to get involved. Mentoring schemes like ‘LifeLine’ can literally turn around the attitudes of troubled teenagers and guide them onto the right paths. I want to congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and hope they keep up the momentum through 2012 and beyond.”
Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Children and Families said: “I am delighted to be celebrating with the young people taking part in this mentoring programme. Their enthusiasm and hard work to help other young people deserves our recognition and admiration. Often young people who are having problems in their lives feel more comfortable seeking help from their peers. LifeLine’s mentoring scheme gives young people the chance to get help or improve their behaviour before it’s too late.”
Nathan Singleton, Director of Community Development, LifeLine, said:
The event demonstrated the great work of LifeLine’s Staff and Volunteers and the impact this has on young people. The young people did a great job on the day and this is just a sample of their great work year on year. We are seeing young people move from service users to peer leaders to leaders and community organisers through our VIP mentoring approach. It is great to reflect on the change these young people are making in their communities.
On the 13th July, LifeLine gathered together a group of thirty 14-19 year olds who have benefitted from the Inspire Mark-winning VIP (Vision, Identity, Purpose) Mentoring Programme to address an audience of politicians, business advisors, voluntary sector organisations and charities, as well as members of the organising committee of the Olympic Games. The young people, many of whom had previously been NEET (not in education, employment or training) or at high risk of becoming NEET, spoke about some of the issues that they had faced and shared their innovative solutions that had been sparked by the VIP Mentoring Programme. Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Children and Families, was the keynote speaker and expressed his delight at the outcomes of the VIP programme saying that it was truly great that young people had developed a model of engagement that successfully effected change in the community. He took the opportunity to invite LifeLine to join policy makers at ‘the top table’.The event started with two songs from X-Factor 2009 finalist Stacey Solomon, who said “being a young Mum is a really tricky job, but staff at LifeLine’s Castle Green Children’s Centre helped me at a time when I needed it and gave me confidence that I could pursue my dreams”
The object of the event was twofold: to celebrate the achievements of the young people and to invite audience members to become part of the Olympic legacy by doing something to make a difference in their community. The young people used the positive impact they have been able to have on their communities to challenge attendees to follow their lead.
LifeLine developed the VIP Mentoring Programme in response to some of the needs that local young people were expressing. One mentor, PJ Cole, grew up in the middle of a violent civil war in Sierra Leone, West Africa. His parents ran a successful rehabilitation project, working with child soldiers who had been caught up in the atrocities. Many were maimed, orphaned, had been abused or mistreated, had addictions and had even committed murder, before they were found and adopted by PJ's parents. PJ shared much of his childhood with these child soldiers and learned not to condemn, but to see a positive future for each individual.
Today PJ is part of a team running LifeLine's VIP Mentoring Programme for 14-18 year olds at a Dagenham secondary school. The programme is designed for young people facing difficulties in different aspects of their lives - they may be having difficulty staying in school, facing problems at home, fighting addictions, anger or self control issues or on probation. The programme seeks to help young people to make good choices and to see their real identity aside from their issues and behaviour. "It's not something I see as a job," said PJ, "but as an opportunity to show them there is another way. It's really exciting because you can actually see their future changing front of your eyes. Young people that would otherwise be out of school by the end of the year are still in school, not just attending but turned around, with new reputations, different behaviour, different aspirations and contributing valuably to the school community."
Young people in Dagenham are being reformed thanks to the Mentoring Programme. One 16 year old had been excluded from her previous school. She was very negative about her new school community and didn't see any possibility of achieving academically. In the time she has been attending the mentoring group there has been "a remarkable change." PJ added, “now she's trying to complete her A Levels to go to University and become a teacher, because she says she wants to help other people!"
One student speaking at the event said "I have learnt that I can be different and choose a different way - not reacting to situations but making sure that I am in control and respond rightly. The course has helped me control my anger and behaviour in class. Since year 7 I have had bad reports at every parents evening, but this year I had good reports. I want to thank my mentor"
PJ said, "Circumstances and life can cause us to make bad choices. But our message and the message of some of these young people is that your past does not have to determine your future."
The concept of the Mentoring Programme evolved from LifeLine's other VIP youth programmes which are based on seeing a young person's potential, and engendering a sense of individual value and purpose in them.
LifeLine was awarded the Inspire Mark, which is awarded to community groups that work with young people and run activities that seek to leave a legacy after the 2012 Olympic Games, for its suite of activities which make up the VIP experience for young people including:
SW!TCH ID events: regular constructive community flashmobs and SW!TCH Academy, a weekly training and planning session for SW!TCH ID regularly attended by 27 young people.
Community and Family Days run by young people for the community (five so far).
VIP Volunteering Training: 19 young people received peer mentor training, 40 young people received VIP mentoring. 5 young people lead their peers on a regular basis.
Three of LifeLine’s Institute Students have recently been selected to become youth ambassadors for the Olympics. They are charged with making sure the younger voices of the local community are heard during the organisation and run up to the 2012 Olympics.
Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “The VIP Programme is encouraging young people to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as LifeLine are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in helping young people to realise their Vision, Identity and Purpose in life.”
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:
“The Olympics is ripe with opportunities for young people and I want kids from every part of London to seek ways to get involved. Mentoring schemes like ‘LifeLine’ can literally turn around the attitudes of troubled teenagers and guide them onto the right paths. I want to congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and hope they keep up the momentum through 2012 and beyond.”
Tim Loughton, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Children and Families said: “I am delighted to be celebrating with the young people taking part in this mentoring programme. Their enthusiasm and hard work to help other young people deserves our recognition and admiration. Often young people who are having problems in their lives feel more comfortable seeking help from their peers. LifeLine’s mentoring scheme gives young people the chance to get help or improve their behaviour before it’s too late.”
Nathan Singleton, Director of Community Development, LifeLine, said:
The event demonstrated the great work of LifeLine’s Staff and Volunteers and the impact this has on young people. The young people did a great job on the day and this is just a sample of their great work year on year. We are seeing young people move from service users to peer leaders to leaders and community organisers through our VIP mentoring approach. It is great to reflect on the change these young people are making in their communities.
May 17, 2010: CEO of LifeLine visits community projects in Kiev
CEO of LifeLine Avril McIntyre and LifeLine Network International Co-ordinator Jamie Singleton visited the Capital of Ukraine, Kiev last week. The purpose of the visit was to look at the various community projects that Today’s Family have established there. 'Today’s Family' are a partner organisation of LifeLine Network International. Albert Kitcher is the Director. As well as visiting the various projects, Avril presented the work of LifeLine to the Director of Youth Affairs within the Department of Social Services and the Deputy Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at the University of Kiev. The key focus was to demonstrate how Voluntary Sector organizations can work with statutory agencies in the delivery of community focused activity. Both visits were well received and it is hoped that partnership will be developed with both organizations through Today’s Family.
Director, Albert Kitcher is seeking to develop a model of foster care/adoption for Ukrainian children which will enable local families to foster or adopt from Ukrainian Orphanages. Currently there are very limited national foster care options but international adoption is on the increase. Avril and Jamie visited orphanages where around 30 two year olds have been placed.
LifeLine also had the priviledge of attending the graduation ceremony of the University of Kiev's Leadership Programme - facilitated by Today's Family. Avril McIntyre presented the graduating students with certificates.
CEO of LifeLine Avril McIntyre and LifeLine Network International Co-ordinator Jamie Singleton visited the Capital of Ukraine, Kiev last week. The purpose of the visit was to look at the various community projects that Today’s Family have established there. 'Today’s Family' are a partner organisation of LifeLine Network International. Albert Kitcher is the Director. As well as visiting the various projects, Avril presented the work of LifeLine to the Director of Youth Affairs within the Department of Social Services and the Deputy Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at the University of Kiev. The key focus was to demonstrate how Voluntary Sector organizations can work with statutory agencies in the delivery of community focused activity. Both visits were well received and it is hoped that partnership will be developed with both organizations through Today’s Family.Director, Albert Kitcher is seeking to develop a model of foster care/adoption for Ukrainian children which will enable local families to foster or adopt from Ukrainian Orphanages. Currently there are very limited national foster care options but international adoption is on the increase. Avril and Jamie visited orphanages where around 30 two year olds have been placed.
LifeLine also had the priviledge of attending the graduation ceremony of the University of Kiev's Leadership Programme - facilitated by Today's Family. Avril McIntyre presented the graduating students with certificates.
March 01, 2010: Vigor8 NEET young people across London
This project targets young people across 16 London Boroughs who are in danger of not being in education, training or employment (NEET). The programme will focus on the hardest to reach such as teenage parents, BME groups, those in pupil referral units, young offenders, care leavers as well as subsistence users, homeless, disabled, young travellers, young asylum seekers, refugees and those with work-limiting illnesses (including mental health conditions).
Activities will include:
o Assesments designed to reveal needs
o VIP (Vision, Identity and Purpose) mentoring
o Outreach and referrals
o IAG’s
o Personalised action plans
o Employability skills training
o Skills Development
o Employer brokerage
Funded by the LDA and managed by LifeLine, we will also be partnered by Fairbridge and Barking College.
This project targets young people across 16 London Boroughs who are in danger of not being in education, training or employment (NEET). The programme will focus on the hardest to reach such as teenage parents, BME groups, those in pupil referral units, young offenders, care leavers as well as subsistence users, homeless, disabled, young travellers, young asylum seekers, refugees and those with work-limiting illnesses (including mental health conditions).Activities will include:
o Assesments designed to reveal needs
o VIP (Vision, Identity and Purpose) mentoring
o Outreach and referrals
o IAG’s
o Personalised action plans
o Employability skills training
o Skills Development
o Employer brokerage
Funded by the LDA and managed by LifeLine, we will also be partnered by Fairbridge and Barking College.
March 01, 2010: CAP ’09: Helping long-term unemployed or low-income parents into sustainable employment
Cap ’09 is a pilot programme which aims to test whether a new model of support can help low-income or long-term unemployed parents get and remain in sustainable employment. The programme is being run out of LifeLine's new Job Shop based in the former training suite at LifeLine House, Dagenham.
Job brokers use a ‘key-worker’ approach to help parents to find employment that is permanent and matches their skill-set. A personalised package of support will help parents to progress including:
o Help with childcare
o Tax credits
o Other funding sources
o Advice and guidance
o Practical support
o Ongoing support for up to 6 months following employment
Funded by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the pilot is focussed on families with a low-household income in order to address some of the issues of child poverty within the Borough.
Cap ’09 is a pilot programme which aims to test whether a new model of support can help low-income or long-term unemployed parents get and remain in sustainable employment. The programme is being run out of LifeLine's new Job Shop based in the former training suite at LifeLine House, Dagenham. Job brokers use a ‘key-worker’ approach to help parents to find employment that is permanent and matches their skill-set. A personalised package of support will help parents to progress including:
o Help with childcare
o Tax credits
o Other funding sources
o Advice and guidance
o Practical support
o Ongoing support for up to 6 months following employment
Funded by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the pilot is focussed on families with a low-household income in order to address some of the issues of child poverty within the Borough.