Our project supporting young people in the local community has again been featured in the local press. Here is the full article:
Local Charity Helps Young People Fulfill Their Hopes and Dreams
A Derby charity has set up a special fund to help young people from the city’s most social deprived communities realise their education and career ambitions.
Revive in Chaddesden has set up the ‘Hopes, Dreams & Aspirations’ fund which was born out of its annual Secret Santa programme that brings Christmas joy to some of the most under-privileged and vulnerable children in the city.
Thanks to donations and direct sponsorship from businesses, groups and individuals, several young people from the Chaddesden, Derwent, Oakwood and Spondon areas are already benefiting.
They include 16-year-old Ashleigh from Chaddesden who needed help to buy specialist equipment and pay for living costs so that she could attend the National Horseracing College in Doncaster.
The former Da Vinci Academy pupil has always loved working with horses and has ridden since she was ten. She is currently doing a work placement at a racing yard in the West Midlands having completed her training at the college.
Ashleigh has her sights set on working in a stables yard to care for and exercise the racehorses and says that this would have just been a pipe dream without the support of Revive.
“I needed a lot of safety and riding equipment which is really expensive and also basic things to be able to live away from home.
“My mum heard about Revive and we thought it would be worth a try so contacted them. I couldn’t believe it when they said they could help – it has opened the doors to what I hope will be a long career working with horses.
“I love working with horses – particularly these thoroughbreds who are magnificent animals and need to be looked after in just the right way.”
Other young people supported by Revive’s ‘Hopes, Dreams & Aspirations’ fund include an Art student who needed support with travel expenses to go to college in Nottingham; a Construction student to pay for vital safety equipment; and a young man who is now studying at college with his sights set on an airline cabin crew career having previously being inspired by a trip to France with Revive.
Revive trustee and Derby City councillor Martin Rawson explained: “Over recent years, an increasing number of teenagers have asked for bus fares or college equipment for their Secret Santa and we realised that we needed to set up an all-year support programme rather than expecting them to wait for Christmas.
“Family circumstances and finances should not be a barrier to young people achieving their hopes and dreams and that is the main objective of this programme.
“We are open to applications throughout the year and are busy raising funds as well as accessing specific grants and bursaries to help young people get the education, training and career breaks that they deserve.”
For more information, please visit Revives website (https://revivehealthylivingcentre.co.uk/), Facebook page (search Revive Centre Charity), email reviveaid@revivecentre.com or simply ring 01332 288700.
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Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102; 07951 945665; sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk