Hundreds of students from six Brighton & Hove schools have benefitted from an inspirational programme to boost their confidence, positivity and aspirations over the summer, thanks to the council and local businesses.
The Dare to Dream programme, created by the Love Local Jobs Foundation, delivered motivating talks and activities to 780 Year 9 pupils to help them build vital life skills and fulfil their potential.
Supported by Brighton & Hove City Council, 13 and 14-year-olds from Dorothy Stringer School, Kings School, Patcham High School, Longhill High School, Cardinal Newman Catholic School and Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) took part in the programme.
Dare to Dream is led by radio celebrity, Jack ‘the Lad’ Hayes on behalf of Brighton-based Love Local Jobs Foundation, a community interest company.
Jack engaged young audiences with his own personal journey, encouraging the young students to take to the stage and share their own stories through a variety of assemblies and inspirational talks.
Brighton accountancy firm, Kreston Reeves, provided volunteers as business mentors who gave online one-to-one mentoring sessions with students at Dorothy Stringer School.
Year 9 participant:
“I have learnt to keep positive, to encourage people around me and to always stay resilient and to keep trying even if I fail. And if I do fail, then to learn from it.”
Jack Hayes, Programme Lead for Dare to Dream said, “We really cannot thank Brighton & Hove City Council enough for giving us the opportunity to take Dare to Dream into some of Brighton and Hove’s biggest schools to reach out and inspire the city’s next generation."
“So many of the young people we have worked with have told me personally how much more confident and excited they are about their futures and how much more belief they have in themselves and their place in the world."
“The work we do quite simply wouldn’t happen without the council’s support.”
All school staff who took part have reported an improvement in the engagement and attainment of pupils who participated, and a large percentage of the students reported they felt more positive about their future in general as well as their future careers."
Councillor Hannah Clare, chair of the Children, Young People and Skills Committee said:
“We were delighted to support this inspirational programme in our schools, especially after the challenges of the last year."
“Dare to Dream has provided a much-needed boost of positivity, inspiration and belief for these 13 and 14-year-olds. It’s not only supported their personal wellbeing, but also helped them build goals, teamwork and resilience to help them fulfil their future potential."
“We’d like to thank all involved, especially Kreston Reeves and their staff who helped build the self-belief and confidence of the students they mentored.”
“We look forward to offering this to more students next year.”
