Chris Hood reflects on a Summer of Opportunity and Connection
This is the first of what I hope will be a regular blog, allowing me to reflect on, appreciate and promote the work we are doing here at Sheffield Futures.
The role of CEO affords me the opportunity to use various platforms to celebrate the magnificent collection of individuals I work with.
As this is the first blog we are sharing, it seems fitting to start with the immediate past whilst it still looms large in my memory.
A Summer of Opportunity, Connection and Wellbeing
As we move into Autumn, it feels like a good moment to reflect on what has been a really positive and busy Summer at Sheffield Futures.
For me, what stands out most is the range of opportunities we have been able to create for young people across Sheffield. From activities focused on wellbeing and bringing communities together, to supporting young people into the workplace, the Summer has been about creating opportunities to connect, develop, have fun and look towards the future.
Promoting Wellbeing
Throughout the school holidays — from late July through to the end of August — we delivered our Festival of Wellbeing, a programme of activities designed to give young people opportunities to take part, try something new, spend time with others and think about their wellbeing.
Summer can be a wonderful time for young people, but we also know that it can bring challenges for some with increased social isolation, wellbeing struggles and difficulties at home. Creating welcoming spaces where young people can be active, creative, social and supported is an important part of what we do.
The Festival was a great example of what can happen when we create those opportunities and make wellbeing something that is accessible, engaging and, importantly, fun.
Bringing Sheffield Together
On 20th August, we held our Community Day, bringing together a wide range of organisations and agencies alongside activities for young people and families.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the different organisations working side by side. Community events like this provide an opportunity for people to discover the support and services available to them in a much more informal and accessible setting.
But it wasn’t all about information and advice. There was plenty of opportunity for young people and families to simply enjoy themselves, take part in activities and spend time together.
That combination of connection, information and fun is something I think is really important. Strong communities are built when people know where to turn for support, but also when they have opportunities to come together and enjoy being part of their community.
Opening Doors to Employment
Alongside our Summer activities, we were also delighted to successfully deliver our second Summer Jobs Programme, supporting young people to gain valuable experience through six weeks of paid employment.
We were fortunate to have a wide range of employers taking part, giving young people the opportunity to experience the workplace, develop new skills and build their confidence.
For many young people, that first opportunity can make a real difference. Six weeks of paid work can provide much more than experience on a CV – it can help young people understand what they are capable of, develop professional networks and start thinking about their next steps.
This work also sits alongside our Thriving Futures Employment Service, which supports a wider group of young people to secure longer-term employment.
Together, these programmes reflect something that is central to Sheffield Futures: we want young people not just to get through challenging times, but to have the opportunities, support and confidence to build positive futures.
The visit to Star House by Alan Milburn MP as part of his work looking at the causes and solutions to the NEETS crisis provided us with another opportunity to showcase our work addressing youth unemployment with a particular focus on our peer connector service.
Thank You
None of this happens without the commitment of our staff, volunteers, partners, employers and the many organisations that work alongside us.
I want to thank everyone who contributed to making the Summer such a success. Whether you helped deliver an activity, provided employment opportunities, supported a young person, volunteered your time or simply came along and got involved, you played a part.
One of the things the Summer has reminded me of is just how much can be achieved when organisations and individuals come together with a shared purpose.
As Helen Keller famously said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
That spirit of partnership has been evident throughout the Summer, and it gives us plenty to build on as we head into the Autumn.
Looking Ahead
While it has been great to reflect on the Summer, there is plenty happening at Sheffield Futures over the coming months.
On 1st November, we’ll be celebrating the launch of Light Up Star House. We ran this for the first time last year and were so pleased to raise over £1,300 to support our counselling services!
This year, we're expanding the campaign to support young people across all of Sheffield Futures' services.
Throughout December, supporters will be able to dedicate a star in our Division Street-facing window in honour of a loved one, as a gift, or simply to show their support for young people in Sheffield. Individual, small stars can be dedicated with a minimum donation of £10, and we encourage those who are able to consider giving £20 or more to help us respond to growing demand for our services.
We also invite organisations to get involved:
Community organisations and schools: £50+
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs): £100+
Companies and corporate organisations: £125+
Many organisations choose to give at or above these suggested levels.
Every donation will help us continue providing vital mental health, wellbeing, employability and youth support services to young people when they need them most.
Then, on 18th December, we’ll be bringing a little festive fun with our online Christmas Quiz. It will be a chance to get involved from wherever you are, have some fun and support Sheffield Futures at the same time.
And looking further ahead, on 20th January, we’ll be holding our Sheffield Futures Showcase. This will be an opportunity to celebrate our work, share what we have achieved and look towards the opportunities and challenges ahead. This event takes place as part of our Blue January campaign which we are excited to share more about.
I hope you’ll be able to join us at one or more of these events. They are all different, but they share something important: they give us opportunities to come together, celebrate what young people can achieve and strengthen the connections that make our work possible.
As we head into the Autumn and Winter, there is plenty still to do. But after such a positive Summer, there is also plenty to feel optimistic about.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Sheffield Futures community over the last few months, and to everyone who continues to support the work we do.
I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming months.