Last Friday, the first group of young people to join ThinkForward’s programme celebrated amazing academic and vocational achievements at a graduation ceremony kindly hosted by Nomura, at its headquarters in the City of London.

At age 13 these 330 young people were identified as being most at risk of unemployment and were predicted to leave school at 16 with no qualifications. But after five years of intensive 1-2-1 support, they confounded expectations and have turned their predicted fortunes around.

Over ninety percent who graduated from the programme are in education, employment or training, with eighty percent achieving five GCSE’s at grades A*-C.  Around twenty-five percent passed A’levels exams or equivalent qualifications, and nineteen percent are set to go to university.

Taking into account that these young people were predicted grades E in English and Maths GCSE at the start of the programme, the progress they have made is truly exceptional.

As private equity investor and ThinkForward Chair, Charlie Green highlighted:  “Our class of 2015 are proof that, given the right support, the most disengaged young people can develop aspirations and achieve their ambitions. For this reason we felt it was important to give them the opportunity to create their own graduation event to celebrate their incredible achievements.”

In addition to receiving graduation certificates to mark their completion of the programme, ThinkForward graduates took ownership of the celebrations by taking centre stage themselves.

To an enthralled audience they delivered star-quality musical performances and moving personal testimonies in which they thanked their coaches for five years of unconditional and enduring support.

In return, showing deep appreciation for the young people they had supported, the coaches offered their parting words in a short film produced by ThinkForward graduates especially for the event.

That afternoon Nomura’s auditorium also hosted a pre-graduation reception where key donors and supporters discussed ThinkForward’s impact since its creation in 2010 and focused on setting the agenda for the future.

Commenting on the event’s success and the first group of young people to graduate from the programme, Kevin Munday, ThinkForward’s Managing Director said:

“It’s truly fantastic to see these young people graduating from our programme and I wish them all the very best for the future. Our aim is to prevent disengaged young people from becoming NEET and the destinations of this first group of 330 graduates demonstrates ThinkForward’s success. Looking ahead to the future our priority is to expand our impact, as there are still almost a million young people in the UK who need our support.”

This event was generously hosted by investment bank Nomura and sponsored by R.R Donnelly.

Read about the event in City A.M.

 

In March 2015, ThinkForward student Tobi went to see a play at the Intermission Theatre. After the play he got talking with the director and they stayed in touch. Tobi was invited in for an interview and an audition for the theatre and was offered a place on their programme.

Our roving reporter Amirah El-Bashary interviewed Tobi to find out more and see how he was doing.

What have you done so far?

“Well there have only been two meetings as we started two weeks ago. The workshops are every other Saturday, but then they will become more frequent to everyday.

But so far we’ve all just met each other and got to know one another. We also went and watched ‘War Horse’ in the theatre, which I really enjoyed! There is another theatre show trip coming up this week, which should be good!” Last week was taster session where we did impro roles, and it was an amazing day! The improv role starter involved us having a letter (which was the prop), and the title was ‘open it’. We also have a Theatre trip tomorrow in Stratford, which I am excited about!

Is there anything about the Intermission Theatre workshops that didn’t reach your expectations? And if so, what were they and how would you improve them if you could?

“No! Everything was and is going to be amazing! Considering my expectations were low; I thought it was going to be terrible but it was above all my expectations.”

What would you like to gain from these workshops?

“I really want to hone my skills and get further knowledge on the acting industry. I also hope to get an agent out of it and gain really good links from Intermission. But most importantly I want to have as much fun as possible!”

What would your advice be to anyone who is looking to get into acting?

“NUMBER 1 – JOIN INTERMISSION THEATRE! Also if you are part of ThinkForward, take advantage of it! ThinkForward is a great opportunity and the people in general that you meet are great! (BIG shout out to Emma!). Another thing is don’t be afraid to ask! So many people can help you and just take up all opportunities that are thrown at you, even if you don’t enjoy it, at least you know you tried.

My process of my application was that I had to apply online, and then I received a text giving me a time and date to come in for an interview. I was being interviewed by a worker at Intermission when Darren the director walked in and started chatting with me. He asked me questions like “why I want to join”, “What do I want to get out of it””.

Where do you see/would like to be in 5 years’ time?

“Well acting is my biggest dream! I don’t mind whether I am famous or not but I just want to be acting somewhere, whether it be theatre of film. If I’m not acting by then, I will just enjoy life while I’m young.”

My final words are to everyone in ThinkForward, it is an amazing company, which have done a lot for me” I am very grateful! It’s cool! Also I’ve learnt the meaning of the saying “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” It has taken a while for me to grow my confidence and do anything! Also I’ve learnt to take chances in life! I’ve overcome a big barrier and I am still working on it, and Intermission is going to help even more.”

By Chloe Parker, ThinkForward Apprentice

On Thursday 12th March, I and many other ThinkForward ambassadors had the privilege of attending a Thank You Event, held by ThinkForward at EY. The purpose of the event was to thank those who have donated time and money to ThinkForward, launch the Annual Review, reflect on the last 12 months and look forward to 2015. The event was held at the Ernest and Young building, where 150 guests attended!

Each ambassador had their own job role, from greeting guests at the front desk to asking guests questions for the newsletter. My role was to ask guests the following questions:

1. The ThinkForward logo is a light bulb, when did you have your first “light bulb” moment in your life about your career?

2. What should companies start/stop doing today to address Youth Employment?

3. Many people volunteer with a charity to “give back” but what have YOU gained from ThinkForward?

There were many responses; David Van Eugen (ThinkForward Consultant) said:

1. “I realised I wanted to make a change to the North East.”

2. “I stopped looking and realised that qualifications have a place but companies shouldn’t have too much emphasis on them when it comes to job roles. You can do a job without them. Companies also need to stop and think, and see if THEY’RE ready for young people; not if young people are ready for them.”

3. “I have gained opportunities, work and commitment. ThinkForward has also made me committed and passionate about social mobility and giving everyone the same.”

Barry Duffy (ThinkForward Consultant) said:

1. “I realised a year ago that I and everyone else doesn’t need to be afraid. Go for what YOU want!”

2. “Companies need to start celebrating the diversity of young people.”

3. “This is going to sound cheesy but I’ve seen a difference in myself, a side I didn’t believe I had, ThinkForward brings out the good in you, despite knowing you were capable in a little way.”

Shane Johnston (ThinkForward Ambassador) said:

1. ” Mine happened when I first joined ThinkForward.”

2. “There needs to be more apprenticeships.”

3. “ThinkForward has given me life experience that I will never forget and always will remember and use in the future.”

Jay Dobinson (LSE Apprentice) said:

1. “My first work experience was at Barclays, which I got through ThinkForward. It was for a week and my first office job; that’s when I realised the office life was the future for me.”

2. “The Company I worked for, also work with City Gateway. They hold market like trades where young people are taken on for work experiences and apprenticeships. More companies should do things like this to engage and get more young people in working.”

3. “A Job! A new perspective of life; at first I wanted to work in the military and never imagined I’d be working in a big office like I am now! ThinkForward showed me that jobs which involve posh suits, ANYONE can do it.”

The night was full of laughter and gratitude; many people were thanked for their support and close work with ThinkForward. The coaches also got a special mention from Louise (Progression Coach at Morpeth School) who said they are “the nicest and brightest people to kids”, and “24 more young people have gained employment through ThinkForward, so a big thank you to all the donors, coaches, staff and young people!”

Georgialeigh, a fellow ThinkForward student and apprentice at Bain Capital told me that she “learnt to adapt to different types of working environments and gain confidence” since she has been a part of ThinkForward.

By Amirah El-Bashary, ThinkForward ambassador.