A free mentoring programme to support young people living in rural parts of the county is set to be launched at the Suffolk Show.
The Seckford Springboard mentoring programme aims to support young people – of any ability or background – living in rural communities, in order to develop the confidence and independence they need to progress in education, training or employment.
Woodbridge-based charity, The Seckford Foundation, which is behind the scheme, will host the launch at the show’s Sports Plus area from 10.30am on Wednesday, May 30, with talks and advice for young show visitors, including an inspirational speech by young entrepreneur and mentor Callum McCormick.
The programme is funded by The Salvation Army, The Prince’s Countryside Fund and The Seckford Foundation, and a team of trained local volunteer mentors will offer free support through the programme.
Mentoring is one aspect of the Seckford Foundation’s Springboard programme, which also includes apprenticeships and grants for young people in Suffolk. The foundation has run mentoring programmes in the past, but it has re-launched following the Flourish Rural Poverty Summit held in October 2016, and rural poverty research conducted by the University of Suffolk last year which highlighted the need for more support for young people in rural communities.
Jenny Stockman, rural apprenticeships and mentoring manager at the Seckford Foundation, said: “We are really excited to launch our Seckford Springboard mentoring programme at the Suffolk Show, and to continue the legacy of our Elizabethan founder, Thomas Seckford, by supporting young people in rural communities across the county. We hope young visitors at this year’s Suffolk Show will pop in to the Sports Plus area and learn more about the free support that we can offer.”
Major Derek Jones, regional leader for The Salvation Army, said: “More than 23,000 people living in rural Suffolk experience income deprivation – this includes 5,000 young people. We have invested in this partnership because we want to see transformation – in the lives of the young people and in the rural communities in which they live.”
Visit www.seckford-foundation.org.uk.
Come and see us at the EADT when you’re at this year’s show and get a free cup of tea.
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