Our latest round of talent bond funding came to a close this month with more than £4000 invested directly in young people from our network. This was made possible thanks to the generous donors who contributed to our Big Give campaign, and by the Berkeley Foundation’s funding of our Pass It On project.
We received 49 applications, and a total of 19 were approved by our panel of young people, who reviewed each anonymised proposal and decided between them how the money would be awarded.
We awarded funding for young people to pay for…
- Books and equipment for a new mum to work on her baking and cake decorating, both to build skills and to deepen her connections with her family.
- Camera and filming equipment for two young people pursuing careers in filmmaking, editing and production.
- Crafting kit and supplies for a young person passionate about building a retail business selling handmade candles and lip balms.
- Fees for a course in nail art and supplies to start a mobile beauty business for people who might not feel comfortable in a salon environment.
- Art and design supplies to create work and build a portfolio to apply for an art and design course at college.
- Gold-standard insurance and a provisional driver’s licence to enable a young person to open more doors for herself in the equine industry.
- Kitchen equipment for a young person passionate about starting a cooking business from home.
- Funding for a young person to organise and promote music gigs in his local area, enabling him to gain experience for a future career.
- Funding for a young person with a talent for computers and web design to create a Foyer website, explaining the reality of life at the service and the opportunities it offers to potential new residents.
- Portable music equipment to enable a young person to perform publicly, practise playing in front of people and make money from busking.
- Course fees to enable a young person to continue studying for a psychology qualification.
- Funding for a new bike for two young people who had theirs stolen and require them to get to college and work, and to live independently.
- A new guitar for a young person to pursue a childhood passion strongly connected to her family, and to grow into a potential career teaching music to school-age children.
- A new laptop to enable a young person to study for a career in elderly care, and for another young person to participate in online education to pursue a career when her baby is old enough for her to do so.
- A sewing machine, fabric and other equipment for a young person to create a dress he has designed – the first piece from his Haus of Black line.
- Replacing a broken laptop to enable a young person to continue creating music for his studies and a potential future career.
Young people awarded funding came from a total of 12 services: the Birchwood Centre, City YMCA, Coops + Brecon Foyer, Devon, Doncaster Foyer, Dovecott House, Enfield Foyer, Guildford YMCA, Ludlow Foyer, Milton Keynes YMCA, Ravenhead Foyer and Ryde – Foyer for the Island.
Watch this space for interviews with the young people who received funding to find out more about them, their passions and how they intend to use the money to grow their talents.
