Fundraising

At Standout we like to get involved in fundraising, most recently for Children in Need. We sold homemade samosas, pizzas, cookies and cakes, plus breakfast sausage/bacon rolls to raise money throughout the day. There were also bellydancing lessons, a baby photo competition and also regular donations into the swear box.

We raised an incredible £210.50 thanks to everyone’s generous support! Well done to everyone involved.

Boomerang

Boomerang is Standout’s pilot scheme to help young people that have dropped out of the system or are finding it difficult in some way to get ‘on’ the system. It is aimed at helping young people who are prepared to help themselves, and aims to give them the helping hand that they need to progress.

We offer a no-questions-asked opportunity for one individual (at any one time) to engage in a training and mentoring programme at Standout, providing support, advice and our own experience to change the course and direction of that individual’s life. We supply formal and professional training, investing in courses and qualifications that will specifically benefit that young person.

We’re positive that schemes like this are the things that will make a difference, to that young person, to their community, and beyond. Our two most recent Boomerang candidates both testify to the difference it has made to them:

“Before I started at Standout it was days on end of doing nothing and rarely leaving the house,” he said. I hadn’t really made the best choices with school. It was great to get a chance to work here and it’s an area that I wouldn’t mind working in eventually. I’m going to get lots of experience so all I’ve got to do is go back to college and get the pieces of paper sorted. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, really.”

Ross, now working in retail.

“At Standout I do a little bit of everything, I help out in the office, filing and findingresearch for the creative team. I also do some creative work I, contributing my ideas to the team and following them through on Photoshop. I really enjoy being apart of this team; they are so welcoming and genuine. I am currently working on a project to organise a charity fashion show which I am really excited about, it is going to be amazing. As a part of my time at Standout I am learning how to drive, which is going really well! I always wanted to drive and I am so glad I have been given the opportunity to fulfill my dreams”

Michaela, currently furthering her education with courses in Maths and English, with the aim of returning to Desford Hall in the near future.

If you are interested in Boomerang, or would like any further information, please speak to Dan Barber, Managing Director.

Charity Work

Standout’s named charity is We Are Making A Difference. We support them with fundraising events.

This charity raises money to help families and individuals that need support and are often unable to find any through conventional sources. The charity is run with entirely no overhead and therefore all the money raised goes to the causes.

Recent causes include funding the UK disabled Olympic team to travel to the Olympic games, and purchasing a new caravan for a family whose 1 year old daughter was suffering from a very rare and terminal form of cancer, so that the family could get away on a holiday with both their daughters for the first time since diagnosis.

For more information, please speak to Dan Barber, Managing Director, or visit the WAMAD website: www.wearemakingadifference.com