Milton Keynes organisations come together to welcome new youth charity scheme
Transitions UK, a charity that supports disadvantaged young people aged 15-25, has launched a new project in Milton Keynes and were formally welcomed to the area recently at Milton Keynes Council Civic Offices.
The vision of the project is to create a support network for every young person currently living in care in Milton Keynes, with the long-term goal of expanding regionally and eventually nationally.
The Attain Project will be run by Transitions UK in partnership with Milton Keynes Council and aims to provide vital support to young people in need, primarily those leaving care, with special needs, emotional and mental health problems or at risk of offending or re-offending. The charity provides a befriending and mentoring service to ensure youths do not feel abandoned or at a loss for caring support, steering them away from unhelpful relationships and towards social activities designed to assist them in achieving their full potential.
Transitions UK CEO Ron Overton has previously launched successful initiatives in the Luton, Hertfordshire and North London areas. Speaking of the new Attain Project in Milton Keynes, he said, “We aim to provide real relationships through a person centred, responsive and adaptive approach that is impactful and outcome focused. Ongoing support and volunteer input will be key as young people respond when someone really cares and gives up time for them. Our success also relies on the support of local businesses which goes beyond fundraising, so we are building a ‘Corporate 100’ of companies in Milton Keynes that can provide sponsorship and opportunities such as work experience placements. We would like to say thank you to all of our current partners and funders who have already shown great generosity and enthusiasm for the project”.
Sharon Godfrey, Team Manager Children’s Social Care, Milton Keynes Council, will be responsible for referring young people to the Attain Project. She said, “There are currently just under 400 children living in care across Milton Keynes. Along with local care providers and foster agencies, we will be referring young people to this project to give them every chance of making a transition towards independence and a positive life in the community. We understand the importance of local authority and business collaboration with charities and we are expecting a long and successful partnership with Transitions UK.”
Ashridge Group are one local business who have pledged their support and welcomed Transition UK to Milton Keynes with the presentation of a £5000 donation cheque. Based in Aylesbury, the Buckinghamshire Business Awards Company of the Year 2018 provides services and consultancy to sectors as diverse as corporates, live entertainment venues, rail and critical national infrastructure. Championing a people-oriented approach to business development, the company also looks to develop partnerships with other companies and charities in the county as part of its aim to support the growth of the local economy and wider community.
Mark Walker, Group Chairman at Ashridge Group, said, “We are delighted to donate £5000 to Transitions UK and welcome this fantastic initiative to Buckinghamshire. Ashridge Group currently employs a number of young and enthusiastic members of staff and apprentices, so we have seen first-hand the benefits of helping young people aspire to be all they can be. We will continue to support this project on an ongoing basis and look forward to working with other local businesses and Milton Keynes Council for the benefit of the region’s young people”.
Earlier this year, Ashridge Group won the Best in Aylesbury Vale business award at the Bucks Business event and then topped it by being awarded the overall prize of Company of the Year. The company continues to build strong links in the local area and embraces values of Diligence, Passion, Competence and Responsiveness.
Transitions UK will soon be running a number of fundraising events in the local community including a ‘charity lottery’, for more information please visit www.transitionsuk.org