Supporting children and young people affected by a family member’s substance use Over the summer, our YouCan team has been busy providing safe, positive and memorable experiences for 14 children and young people affected by a family member’s substance use. YouCan offers one-to-one support and group activities where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, try new things and connect with others who may have similar experiences. Fishing at Shallowbrook Lakes We started the summer with a brilliant morning of fishing at Shallowbrook Lakes. Everyone managed to catch lots of fish and even our staff couldn’t resist having a go! A huge thank you to UK Fishing School for helping to make the day so special. Their team were patient, supportive and fantastic at helping everyone feel comfortable and confident. Learning lifesaving skills Our second activity focused on practical first aid and lifesaving skills. Young people learned how to respond in an emergency and built their confidence in knowing what to do when someone needs help. Learning these skills can help young people feel more prepared and confident if an emergency happens at home or out in the community. Own a Pony Day at Squirrel Wood Equestrian Centre We enjoyed a magical Own a Pony Day at Squirrel Wood Equestrian Centre. The group learned what it takes to care for a pony, including grooming, feeding, tacking up, mucking out and riding through the woodland. For some of the young people, this was a once in a lifetime experience, and we love being able to create opportunities and memories like this. Laser Quest The summer also included a trip to Laser Quest, with young people travelling together by minibus to Bury St Edmunds. It was a great opportunity to have fun, spend time together and enjoy something a little different! Art workshop We also held an art workshop, giving young people the chance to get creative and express themselves through art. They created artwork to display at our centre, helping to make the space feel personal and welcoming for the young people who use it. Outdoor adventure at Eaton Vale We headed to Eaton Vale Scout and Guide Activity Centre for an action packed day of outdoor activities. The group took part in an assault course, raft building, climbing and archery, with plenty of encouragement and support from the instructors. With the sun shining, everyone especially enjoyed cooling off in the water while raft building! Pottery painting at Honeypots Studio Our young people also got creative during a pottery painting trip to Honeypots Studio. Everyone created some amazing designs, and we can’t wait to see the finished pieces once they have been glazed! Finishing the summer with an escape room challenge We finished the summer programme with an escape room challenge at Escape Hunt. It was a fun way for young people to work together, communicate, solve problems and put their teamwork skills to the test. We’re proud to say that both groups managed to escape within an hour! Why YouCan support matters Growing up with a family member’s substance use can affect a young person’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of stability. Having somewhere safe to talk, feel listened to and spend time with others who may understand their experiences can make a real difference. YouCan provides children and young people with access to one-to-one support, group activities and advisory groups, where young people can share their views and help shape the service. Through these opportunities, YouCan helps young people feel heard, build confidence, develop positive coping strategies and recognise that they are not alone in their experiences. Our summer activities are just one part of the wider support available through YouCan for children and young people affected by substance use in their family. Get support from YouCan If you or someone you know could benefit from YouCan support, please get in touch with our team.

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

Contains information on our website accessibility. Accessibility We want all young people to feel welcome and supported when using our services. Whether you're meeting us in person or checking out our website, we’ve tried to make things as easy to access as possible. Everyone’s needs are different, so if there’s anything we can do to support you, just let us know. We’re here to help make your experience a positive one. Guide We’ve put together an accessibility guide to help you feel more comfortable before visiting us at our Next Steps centre, checking out our website, or reading our resources. This guide is here to ease any worries you might have and give you a clear idea of what to expect. Click here to view it. How We Make Things Easier For You: Non-Judgemental We know that you may be worried about accessing support around drugs and alcohol as you are worried about the stigma. We actively work hard to reduce any stigma and we are here to support you. Young Person Focused We design our service with the needs and preferences of young people. We actively seek your feedback and make amendments to the service from these. Safe Spaces We meet you in a space you feel comfortable and where you are free from discrimination. We also meet you at a time which is convenient for you. Participation This service is voluntary, which means that it’s your choice if you want to work with us. We also encourage you to voice your ideas and any concerns through our young people advisory groups, online surveys and 1-2-1 with your worker. Flourish Flourish is all about helping young people in Norfolk live their best lives. It’s built around what matters most to you like feeling safe, being understood, having good friends, learning new things, and getting the chance to grow into who you want to be. It’s a promise from the people who support you to listen, include you in decisions, and help you thrive in every part of your life. The Matthew Project pledges to continue helping children and young people flourish. For our pledge this year we will create and develop opportunities for young people in our service to have a have their voices heard by our Board of Trustees. This will enable young people to influence and help shape what we do through co-design and production. This gives young people a voice, enabling them to develop their knowledge and skills which will benefit them throughout their lives. In 2023 , we received the best news that we won the Safe and Secure Flourish Award. This award was for outstanding contribution towards keeping children and young people safe from harm. In 2024 , our senior practitioner in the Unity team, Zee was nominated for a Flourish Award and has been judged as Highly Commended in the Healthy Award Category. This is for outstanding contribution towards helping children and young people understand decisions that impact their health and be empowered to lead their happiest and healthiest lives.

See frequently asked questions about our service and what we do. Frequently Asked Questions Frequently asked questions 01 How do I get support for someone I know/myself? Anyone can get in touch with us to make a referral. This could be a parent, carer or professional or you. If you want to refer yourself or someone you know, you can do this by going to our contact us page to chat with a member of the team in the most accessible way for you. 02 What happens when I get referred? We will contact you, or the person referring you and arrange to come and meet, in a place you feel comfortable. 03 What happens if I change my mind? Just let us, or the person who referred you know. Our support is totally voluntary. We understand that people change their minds. You are always welcome to come back. 04 Will you tell other people what I have said? We offer a confidential service. Confidentiality means us not telling anyone else about the things you tell us, we will talk to you about who you are comfortable with us talking to. Sometimes your parents, carers or teachers may be aware that you have been referred to us, particularly if you chose to see us at your school or home, this does not mean we will tell them everything that you tell us, we will discuss this with you and agree what information YOU feel comfortable sharing. If there’s a risk of very serious harm to you, or someone else, we may need to share some of what you have told us, we will try and talk to you and let you know what might happen next. 05 Will you tell me to stop using drugs/alcohol? No we understand this is your choice and people use substances for a variety of reasons. We are not here to judge you, or tell you what to do, we will support you to decide what you want from the support. 06 Do you have to tell my parents that I am working with you? If you are over 13 and we feel you understand what it means to get support from us, we do not need to tell your parents that we are supporting you. If you are under 13, we do need to get consent from your parent or carer to be able to offer you support. This doesn’t mean we will tell them what we talk about with you. 07 Will I get into trouble? We will not share the information you tell us unless we are extremely worried for your safety, our aim would be to keep you safe not for you to get into trouble. 08 How long can you work with people? For the YouCan and Unity service. Our support is not time limited we can continue to support you for as long as you feel you need the support. We can see you weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, depending on what works best for you. For On Track, there are sometimes time limits depending on the service. Contact On Track's for more details. 09 Is there a waiting list? We do have at times a waiting list but we will be in contact within 2 weeks and will always keep you updated of when a meeting will be booked. 10 Can I see you in school? Yes we can come and meet you in a place you feel comfortable this could be at home, school, college, wherever you feel comfortable. 11 Can I talk to you about other stuff? Yes we understand that drug or alcohol issues can be one of the issues you are facing, we will complete an assessment with you that will look at what other support may be useful, this could include mental and physical health, housing, education and relationship advice. 12 Will there be a change in worker? We try not to change your worker, we know it can be difficult when one of our workers leave, if we have to change you to a new worker, we will ask you what kind of person you would feel most comfortable with and try and match you with one of our workers. 13 Can I bring someone with me? Yes we understand it can be a big step meeting someone new. 14 My parents/carers don't drive, how do I get to you? We come to you! We can meet you in a location you feel comfortable such as school and for our holiday activities we can arrange transport so you can attend. 15 What if I don’t know what to say? That’s completely okay. You don’t need to prepare anything before contacting us. Just tell us what’s been happening and what you’re worried about, and we can take it from there.

Information to help parents and careres who have a child struggling with drugs/alcohol or is affected by family use. Support for Parents and Carers We understand that seeing your child struggle - whether with their own substance use , the impact of a family member’s substance use , or challenges with education and employment - can be stressful and confusing. Our Young People’s Services are here to support both your child and your family, helping you navigate these challenges with care, respect, and confidentiality. Here are two ways we can help: Support for you We can provide support for parents whose child is struggling with drug or alcohol use. You can talk to a practitioner about what’s happening for you and your family, or meet other parents and carers who understand some of what you’re going through. Find out more Support for your child We can support your child if they’re worried about their own substance use, affected by a family member’s substance use, or facing challenges with education and employment. You can refer your child to our services with their consent. Find out more Our Young People's Services We have three young people services - YouCan, Unity and OnTrack YouCan Affected by a Family Member's Substance Use When a family member uses drugs or alcohol, it can affect children and young people, leaving them worried, confused, or alone. YouCan offers a safe, confidential space for young people to explore their feelings. About YouCan Worried About Their Own Substance Use If your child is worried about their own drug or alcohol use. The service offers confidential, non-judgemental support to understand choices, reduce harm, and make positive changes. About Unity Unity Not in Education, Training or Employment If your child is struggling with school, college, or work, On Track can help. The team supports them to build confidence, life skills, and work towards education, training, or employment goals. About OnTrack OnTrack “When shut out of your son’s life, and all doors seemed closed, The Matthew Project opened theirs. A big thank you. As a parent I was desperate, how must my son feel?” Parent/Carer