July was another fantastic month for our On Track service as we continued supporting young people aged 13 - 24 who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) across Norfolk. SafeSPACE Decoupage Workshop On 1st July, eight young people attended a creative decoupage workshop in Norwich. This was the second session, with the first introducing the group to the craft and the second providing an opportunity to work on larger projects. A huge thank you to Rosie for facilitating such an engaging and creative workshop. King's Lynn Volunteering Day at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre On 7th July, six young people from our King's Lynn & West Norfolk Personal Development Programme took part in a rewarding volunteering day at the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre. The group worked incredibly hard throughout the day, painting sheds and helping install new fencing for the deer enclosure. As a reward for their efforts, they enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the centre and even had the opportunity to feed the seals. We would like to thank all the young people who participated for their enthusiasm and commitment, as well as the amazing team at RSPCA East Winch for making us feel so welcome. Experiences like this help young people develop teamwork, responsibility and practical skills while exploring future volunteering and employment opportunities. Norwich Allotments On 8th July, six young people from our SafeSPACE group spent the day at the Matthew Project allotments. Together they helped to build a wildlife pond, planted sweetcorn, completed weeding tasks and harvested fresh produce including onions and radishes. They even had the chance to pick and taste fresh broad beans straight from the allotment. Laser Tag Our SafeSPACE group headed to Quasar Norwich on 15th July for an afternoon of laser tag. Eight young people took part, developing teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills while having plenty of fun. We'd like to thank the team at Quasar for making everybody feel welcome and ensuring the day was enjoyable for all involved. Bringing Groups Together at Pleasure Beach On 21st July, young people from our Norwich and Great Yarmouth groups came together for a brilliant day at Pleasure Beach. The group enjoyed the rides, spent time socialising and finished the day with chips for lunch. Bringing young people together from different locations helps build friendships, reduce isolation and create positive shared experiences. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success. Celebrating Stories of Strength On 22nd July, members of our SafeSPACE group visited the Stories of Strength exhibition at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. During the visit, young people helped install QR codes, making it easier for visitors to access and engage with the inspiring stories on display. We are incredibly proud of every young person who shared their experiences and contributed to such a meaningful project. You can read the stories here Tackling Imposter Syndrome Later on 22nd July, we delivered the fourth Norwich Personal Development Programme session for the SafeSPACE group, focusing on imposter syndrome. The group explored what imposter syndrome is, how it can affect confidence, and practical strategies for challenging negative thought patterns. Young people designed their own "Imposter Monster", took part in a game of Imposter Pong and discussed ways to recognise their achievements and strengths. The session created a safe space for honest conversations, reflection and encouragement, helping young people develop confidence in themselves and their abilities. Building Employability Skills in King's Lynn On 28th July, our King's Lynn & West Norfolk Personal Development Programme continued with Session Five at The Walks. Seven young people enjoyed an afternoon of team games and problem-solving challenges in the sunshine. It was fantastic to see everyone encouraging one another, working together and strengthening their teamwork skills. Developing employability skills such as communication, collaboration and resilience is a key part of helping young people move towards education, training and employment opportunities. Sea Life Centre On 29th July, our SafeSPACE group joined the Great Yarmouth group for a fun-filled day out at the Sea Life Centre. After, everyone headed to the beach to take part in the Summer Social activities, where they enjoyed building sandcastles and spending time together in the sunshine. Sweet Briar Marshes The following day, on 30 July, the safeSPACE group visited Sweet Briar Marshes for a habitat trail. We were taken on a guided tour, learning about the different habitats found within the nature reserve and the wildlife that calls them home. One of the highlights was discovering how to tell the difference between a damselfly and a dragonfly. If you or someone you know could benefit from support from On Track, find out more here

At The Matthew Project, our On Track service supports young people who are not in education, training or employment (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET, by providing positive activities, employability support, and opportunities to build confidence and skills. June was another busy month for our On Track team. Here's a look at what our young people achieved. Snettisham Park Farm Our King's Lynn and West Norfolk group enjoyed a fantastic visit to Park Farm at Snettisham as part of their Personal Development Programme. Seven young people attended the trip, where they experienced a deer safari, fed baby lambs, and spent time with some very friendly goats. A huge thank you to Park Farm for making the group feel so welcome and creating such a positive experience for everyone involved. Decoupage The SafeSPACE group in Norwich took part in a decoupage workshop, attended by eight young people. Creative activities can play an important role in improving wellbeing, reducing stress, and helping young people express themselves. The session gave participants the opportunity to learn a new skill while spending time together in a supportive environment. A special thank you goes to Rosie for facilitating the workshop and helping make the session such a success. Understanding Imposter Syndrome As part of the King's Lynn and West Norfolk employability programme, young people took part in their third employability session. The group explored the topic of imposter syndrome and discussed the feelings of self-doubt that many people experience. Through activities including "Have You Ever Felt?" and "Imposter Pong," young people learned how to challenge negative thoughts and build confidence. The session also welcomed Candace from Connect to Work, who spoke about the support and employment opportunities available to young people as they begin their journey into work. Allotment Six young people from SafeSPACE enjoyed a visit to a local allotment where they spent time outdoors learning practical skills. Together they built a wildlife pond, planted sweetcorn, completed weeding tasks, and harvested fresh produce including onions and radishes. The group also had the opportunity to pick and taste broad beans. Ending the Month with Drug and Alcohol Awareness The final employability session of June focused on drug and alcohol awareness. Providing young people with accurate information and a safe space to talk about substances. These sessions form an important part of the wider personal development programme, helping young people gain knowledge and life skills that will benefit them in the future. Supporting Young People Who Are NEET in Norfolk On Track supports young people across Norfolk who are not currently in education, employment, or training, as well as those at risk of becoming NEET. Through group activities, employability sessions, personal development opportunities, and one-to-one support, young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and take positive steps towards their future. If this support could benefit you or someone you know, you can find out more here: https://www.matthewprojectyoungpeople.org/on-track

The last couple of months have been packed with activities, learning opportunities and fun experiences for the young people involved with On Track. From employability workshops to outdoor adventures, it’s been fantastic to see young people building confidence, developing new skills and connecting with others in a supportive environment. Safe SPACE Arts & Crafts Session - 16th April We started with a creative arts and crafts session for our Safe SPACE group. Six young people attended and enjoyed an afternoon of getting creative and spending time together in a safe and welcoming environment. Sessions like these provide a great opportunity for young people to socialise, express themselves and build confidence. Employability Skills Sessions Launch in King’s Lynn - 20th April Our first Employability Skills session in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk took place with six young people attending. The session focused on problem solving and teamwork through a range of interactive activities. Young people were challenged to build the tallest tower using marshmallows and spaghetti - with the winning tower reaching an impressive 69cm! We also played “What’s in my Bag?” and a creative twist on Pictionary, where one person described an image while another attempted to draw it. A huge thank you to the Family Hub in King’s Lynn for allowing us to use their space for the session. Safe SPACE Allotment Visit - 23rd April Seven young people joined us for a brilliant afternoon at the allotments. Everyone got involved with planting potatoes, cabbage, strawberries and runner beans. It was fantastic to see young people trying something new, working together and enjoying being outdoors. Safe SPACE at Eaton Park - 30th April We made the most of the sunny weather with an afternoon at Eaton Park. Six young people took part in a photo scavenger hunt, played catch and football, and enjoyed spending time together in the sunshine. Sessions like these are a great way to develop teamwork skills. Safe SPACE Trip to Winterton - 8th May Our Safe SPACE group took a trip to Winterton in the hope of spotting some seals. Although we only saw a couple out at sea, the group still had a fantastic day exploring the beach and spending time together. Six young people attended and enjoyed the opportunity to get out and experience somewhere new. King’s Lynn Employability Skills Session 2 - 11th May Five young people attended our second employability and personal development session in King’s Lynn, which focused on positive thinking. Young people explored their strengths and weaknesses, discussed how to turn challenges into positives, and created their own “strength jars” filled with encouraging reminders and personal achievements. We repeated this session in Norwich on 15th May, with four young people. Safe SPACE Trip to Hunters Yard – 18th May We had a wonderful day at Hunters Yard, with six young people enjoying the opportunity to get outdoors, try new experiences, and spend quality time together. A special thank you to Hunters Yard for facilitating the day, and to Rachael at Tesco Ipswich Road for kindly providing lunch for the group - your support helped make the day even more special for the young people involved. Coming Up Next… We’re looking forward to our next Norwich Safe SPACE employability session on 27th May, which will focus on developing problem solving skills through interactive activities and teamwork challenges. If you are a young person who would like support to move closer to education, training, employment or volunteering, you can find out more about On Track on our website.

Drug and alcohol education sessions for schools, colleges and young people. Explore our targeted and universal substance misuse awareness sessions. Drug and Alcohol Education Sessions We provide drug and alcohol education sessions for children and young people across schools, colleges and other education settings. Our sessions are designed to help young people understand the risks associated with drugs and alcohol, develop their awareness of risky situations and make informed choices. We offer two types of education sessions: Targeted and Universal. The right option will depend on the needs of the young people you are working with. Targeted Sessions Our targeted sessions are designed for young people who may have an increased vulnerability to substance misuse. Sessions can be tailored around the needs of your group, allowing us to focus on the issues that are most relevant to the young people you work with. Please note: targeted sessions do not include smoking or vaping awareness. Targeted Sessions Universal Sessions Our universal sessions offer tailored, interactive information sessions on drugs, alcohol and smoking awareness delivered within your school timetable, either standalone or as a block. This can offer added value when integrated into the PHSE curriculum or as part of Safety/Health Awareness Days. There is a charge for universal sessions, as these sessions are not funded through our existing services. Universal Sessions Not sure which option is right for your young people? Get in touch with our Unity team and we can talk through your requirements. Contact Us

The Matthew Project is a Norfolk charity offering free, confidential support for young people dealing with issues around drugs, alcohol, or family substance use. Our services include YouCan (help for under-19s affected by a family member’s substance use), Unity (support for under-19s impacted by personal or others' substance use), and On Track (guidance for 13-24s facing barriers to education or employment). Supporting Young People Across Norfolk Find the right support for you Our Young People Services Take a look at our three services and see which one could help you. Read More YouCan If you’re worried about a family member or relative using drugs or alcohol, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Impacted by family/relative drug/alcohol use Read More Unity If you're worried that your own drug or alcohol use is having a significant impact on you or others, click the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Wanting to stop or reduce their drug or alcohol use Read More On Track If you’re facing barriers that make it difficult to find or stay in education or employment, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged 13–24 Living in Norfolk At risk of, or not currently in, education or employment Accessibility We’re here to make every young person feel welcome and supported. Whether you meet us in person or online, we aim to make accessing our services straightforward. Click the button below to find out more. Accessibility Support What's New Our latest news, events, and updates. New Substance Info Pages for Young People The Flourish Survey 2024 revealed a statistic that almost 1 in 5 young people in Norfolk said they have no one or nowhere to get information about alcohol use. At The Matthew Project, we wanted to help change that. With the input of young people, we’ve developed five brand-new substance information pages on our website designed specifically for young people who want clear, honest, and reliable information. These pages cover: Real stories from young people we support Har On Track's July Highlights: Supporting Young People Across Norfolk July was another fantastic month for our On Track service as we continued supporting young people aged 13 - 24 who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET) across Norfolk. SafeSPACE Decoupage Workshop On 1st July, eight young people attended a creative decoupage workshop in Norwich. This was the second session, with the first introducing the group to the craft and the second providing an opportunity to work on larger projects. A huge thank you to Rosie fo On Track's June Highlights At The Matthew Project, our On Track service supports young people who are not in education, training or employment (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET, by providing positive activities, employability support, and opportunities to build confidence and skills. June was another busy month for our On Track team. Here's a look at what our young people achieved. Snettisham Park Farm Our King's Lynn and West Norfolk group enjoyed a fantastic visit to Park Farm at Snettisham as p On Track Highlights - April & May The last couple of months have been packed with activities, learning opportunities and fun experiences for the young people involved with On Track. From employability workshops to outdoor adventures, it’s been fantastic to see young people building confidence, developing new skills and connecting with others in a supportive environment. Safe SPACE Arts & Crafts Session - 16th April We started with a creative arts and crafts session for our Safe SPACE group. Six young people a 1 2 3 4 5 Your Stories Read real stories from young people like you. YouCan Service "The Matthew Project and all of the workers there have helped me over the years so much and i wouldn't have been able to cope with certain situations without their support. I have always felt comfortable and listened to." "They listen and give you good feedback and don't try to pretend that things are ok but actually have a human conversation and you feel like you're actually being listened to." "I feel like i understand how it affects me. She made me realise how well I can cope with it and if needed I can message her. Now I feel comfortable with talking to my dad about his alcohol abuse knowing my worker has comforted me with it and given me advice on how to deal with the affect it has on me." Have Your Say Your thoughts and ideas help us make our services better and easier to access for young people. Click the button below to find out more about the different ways you can have your say. Have Your Say Social Media Take a look at what we’ve been up to over on our Instagram page! Load more

Support for those worried about a family member or relative using drugs/alcohol Welcome to YouCan! YouCan is a free and confidential service for children and young people under 19 in Norfolk who are affected by a family member’s drug or alcohol use. You might feel worried or scared about their safety, feel like you have to take care of them or hide things, change your own behaviour to avoid conflict, and feel alone about what’s happening at home. If someone you live with is drinking alcohol or using drugs and it’s affecting how you feel, think, or live day to day, YouCan is here to help you. Nervous about speaking with us? Nervous about speaking with us? We will only share what you tell us if you give us your consent, if we believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, or if a serious crime has been or may be committed. You can find out more about confidentiality here . What YouCan Offers Here's how we can support you: One-to-one support that’s personal to you We’ll take time to listen and understand what’s going on for you, working together to build confidence and help you cope with difficult feelings and challenges. Support that fits you We can meet in person, for example at school or in the community, somewhere you feel comfortable. We can also chat by phone, text, or email. Support to explain things to others If you want help talking to your family, carers, school, or other professionals, we can support you with that too. Linking you to other services If you need extra support, like help with housing, mental health, or other challenges, we can point you to the right people or services. Activities Alongside one-to-one support, you can take part in activities that help build confidence, connect with other young people who have similar experiences, and develop new skills. These activities take place during the school holidays. If you’re 13 or older , you can choose to become a peer mentor . Peer mentors help support activities and other young people. It’s a rewarding experience that helps you grow personally, connect with others, and make a positive difference. If you’re 11 or older , you can also join our YouCan Advisory Group . This is a space where young people share their views and help shape how the YouCan service works. You’ll work alongside staff to help make decisions and improvements. Get support To access support, click the button below to fill out our referral form. A social worker, teacher, or youth worker can complete it for you, or contact us for help. Click Here Contact us Still unsure? Would you like to talk to someone before deciding if you want to receive support? You can chat with us through our anonymous Live Chat, via email, or over the phone. Click Here