July Highlights: Wrapping Up the Academic Year

As the academic year draws to a close, July has been an exciting month at Inspire 2 Ignite, brimming with remarkable achievements and memorable events. We've seen significant milestones through our school programmes, celebrated at the Curious Conference, and witnessed inspiring individual successes. This edition captures the essence of our journey, showcasing the dedication and hard work of our young people and partners.

Find out what we've been up to this month as we celebrate these accomplishments and look forward to preparing for another impactful academic year ahead.

IOC Make History Announcing Olympic Esports Games 2025

The recent announcement of the Olympic Esports Games 2025 marks a significant milestone for the esports industry. At Inspire 2 Ignite, we believe in the power of using contemporary and relatable mediums as essential for reaching today's youth. The integration of esports into the Olympics provides a unique platform for social enterprises like ours to collaborate with the esports sector. These partnerships can create innovative programmes that utilise Esports to foster educational and economic opportunities for young people, teaching digital literacy, teamwork, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial skills.

Our Founder, Alex Hughes , explored this further and shared his insights. Read the full article.

NCS Side Hustles with Purpose

Do you know a young person who has always wanted to start their own side hustle? Our "Side Hustles with Purpose" programme is now accepting sign ups and can help a young person achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Participants brainstorm and pitch business ideas with the chance to receive start-up cash and meet other eager young entrepreneurs.

They'll also earn an exclusive NCS - National Citizen Service Trust and Inspire 2 Ignite digital badge to showcase their skills to potential employers. The first 10 to sign up receive a free entrepreneurial course by Ignite Champion and Ex-Dragon Piers Linney . We are still accepting sign-ups, so if they’re ready to turn passion into profit, sign them up now for the greater good!

Register Interest Here

Academic Year Round-Up: A Year of Transformation and Achievement

The 2023-2024 academic year has been filled with transformative experiences and significant achievements. We’ve collaborated with 23 schools and colleges, engaging over 7,600 students. From our structured programmes to one-off workshops, we've provided numerous opportunities for students to explore different pathways and develop essential skills.

Before the year ended, we visited three schools to deliver Insight to Industry Days and our Curious Corner to support as many young people as possible in transitioning to the next phase of their journey.

Swavesey Village College: Insight to Industry Days

We were invited to Swavesey Village College for two engaging Insight to Industry Days, one for Year 9 students and one for Year 10 students who had not managed to secure work experience placements. Joined by Charlotte Marsh from our partners Hill Group UK , we used their Innovate to Renovate framework to guide students through a project focused on upgrading their school. The sessions encouraged students to come up with innovative ideas, build detailed presentations, and then persuade us why their projects deserved funding. The project included aspects of profitability, sustainability, and social impact, addressing issues such as food waste, homelessness, and school travel.

The students developed skills in creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, presentation, finance and budgeting, and social value.

"We loved your workshop! It was really interesting to see the difference between the year 9 students and year 10 students, having been selected to participate using very different criteria. While the second day was much harder work for you guys, it will also have had the greatest impact." – Sophie Raven, Business Relationships Co-ordinator

Riverside Meadows: Insight to Industry Day

We hosted an Insight to Industry Day at Riverside Meadows Academy, partnering with SMD Ltd to showcase potential future careers and opportunities available to the young people. The session included a 45-minute talk and interactive activity with the Curious Conversation Blocks, helping students explore their future aspirations and how best we can support them. Ignite Champions, Marium Ullah and Patience Mubaiwa from SMD provided valuable insights into their industry, engaging the students with their energy and expertise.

The school praised our room for having one of the most engaging sessions, noting significant before-and-after transformations in the students' aspirations. Our approach sparked numerous conversations, both during and after the event, highlighting its impact on the young people's career perspectives.

St Peter's Curious Corner and Career Carousel

As part of St Peter's Career Fair, we hosted our Curious Corner, engaging and inspiring 300 Year 10 and 12 students throughout the day, igniting a spark in them about the possibilities for their future. Lee Garnett from our partner Moss UK was instrumental in ensuring the Curious Corner was engaging and informative. We also participated in the Career Carousel, where Alex Richards engaged with 12 groups of 15 young people, sharing his background and the possibilities of entrepreneurship.

Feedback from young people about which talk stood out the most to them included:

"Inspire 2 Ignite because it made me realise that it is possible to do the impossible."

"Inspire 2 Ignite because it was very interesting and they know how to approach us in an engaging way."

Alternative Provision Programme Round Up

Reflecting on our first year delivering our alternative provision programme with Olive Academies, we've seen significant growth, expanding from 6 young people to over 20 across three cohorts, with further increases planned for September. Our commitment to holistic development is evident, with young people receiving over 40 hours of physical activity aimed at enhancing their mental fitness and emotional regulation. These activities included rock climbing, boxing, badminton, kinaesthetic training, and walks in nature. Additionally, our "Curious about Ice Cream" delivery days at Queensgate Shopping Centre and the Bradfield Centre generated over ￡500 in revenue, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit fostered within our programmes.

Impressively, 80% of the top achievers in recent mock exams were participants in our programme. A standout achievement was an unconditional offer received by one of our Year 11 students from a top Cambridge sixth form to pursue psychology, inspired by our Thrive programme mindset workshops. Additionally, Olive Academies reported that our students stayed in exam halls the longest, showcasing their determination. As we reflect on this transformative year, we are immensely proud of the progress made by the young people and the positive impact on the lives we've changed. Here's to continued growth and success in the years to come.

Spotlight On: Tom's Journey from Dropout to Entrepreneur

Tom's story begins like many others – with dreams, ambitions, and the desire to make a mark. He joined university after completing his A-levels, eager to delve into the world of Animation. But life had other plans. He left university after three tough months to work 66-hour weeks at a production site. Amidst the grind, Tom's keen eye noticed something unique - the charm and potential of vintage horseboxes. He decided to invest in converting a horsebox, marking the birth of his entrepreneurial journey.

Tom's venture took off, overcoming hurdles like insurance issues and a forced rebranding. Tom has successfully completed around 50 events already this year, with an impressive 90 more already in the diary. Most recently, Tom was present at Inspire 2 Ignite partner Moss UK 's HQ for their monthly food truck day.

Moss said:

"It was a pleasure having Tom visit our HQ today, as part of our Thank You Thursdays initiative. The sweet treats were delicious but the sausage rolls made within the family were on another level."

Join us in celebrating Tom and follow his journey to see where you can find him for your coffee fix! Tom Kiernan

Building Futures with M&J Construction

Inspire 2 Ignite recently collaborated with The M&J Group to offer an immersive work experience programme. Four students participated in activities such as Estimating & Surveying, Health & Safety, First Aid and practical roofing work, beginning with an ice-breaker session using Curious Conversation Blocks. CEO Sam Squire joined to meet new apprentices, providing motivational support. The students also learned effective roof estimation techniques, guided by M&J surveyors, highlighting career opportunities within the company. These experiences underscore the importance of hands-on training and mentorship in developing future professionals.

M&J had over 100 applications for their apprenticeship programme. Find out more about their amazing organisation and career opportunities here.

Celebrating Success at the Curious Conference 2024

July saw us hosting our annual conference at the beautiful Shortmead House, celebrating the successes of the young people we work with, community achievements, and impactful collaborations from the past year. This second edition of the conference brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and youth to discuss the future of education and youth empowerment. The atmosphere was electric, filled with inspiring stories, thought-provoking discussions, and a shared commitment to driving positive change for today's youth and future generations.

Read the full story here.

2024 Impact Snapshot

As we reflect on this month’s achievements, our impact numbers not only represent milestones but also the collective efforts of our community, partners, and the young people themselves. These statistics illustrate transformative journeys marked by empowerment, growth, and achievement. They showcase how collaborative efforts can bring about significant changes in the lives of young people. Each number in this snapshot highlights the powerful outcomes of our joint endeavours, underscoring our shared commitment to nurturing potential and expanding opportunities.

August almost feels like an early end of the year for us as it sees some of our engagement with young people pause over the summer. However, we still have several exciting initiatives taking place that we can't wait to share with you next month. This time provides a chance to reflect and evaluate the year that's passed, but it's also all systems go as we strengthen and build for the academic year to come. Our community's collective efforts drive us forward, and together, we continue to inspire and empower young people. Stay tuned for updates on our upcoming projects and continued efforts to provide meaningful experiences and opportunities for the young people we serve.