Search

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.

We know that not every child and young person feels ready to attend group activities or connect face-to-face with others who have lived experience. For some, taking part in activities from the comfort and safety of home can feel like a much more manageable first step. That’s why, last year over the summer holidays, our YouCan service launched a series of At Home Activity Packs designed to help children and young people stay engaged, creative, and connected during the school break. Each holiday period, we produce 50 of each pack in an effort to reach as many young people as possible. The activities are tailored to different age groups and interests, giving young people something meaningful, positive, and enjoyable to focus on at home. Summer Holiday Activity Packs Our summer packs included a range of fun and creative themes, encouraging young people to try new things, build confidence, and spend quality time with family members or carers. The packs included: Baking Pack Bug Hunting Pack Self-Care Pack Growing Pack Positivity Pack Art Pack The response from families was incredibly positive, with many sharing how much the activities helped young people feel engaged and excited during the holidays. “The activity packs were greatly received and we made the cupcakes last night which were pretty good! [YP name removed] was straight on his bug pack and found all of them in our back garden except for a butterfly. I did not know we had a family of grasshoppers living in our back garden so I’ve learnt something too.” Continuing Through the Year Following the success of the summer packs, we continued creating themed activity packs throughout the year to coincide with school holidays and seasonal events. October Half-Term For October, we created a cosy comfort pack designed to help young people relax and unwind during the darker autumn evenings. Christmas Holidays Our Christmas pack focused on festive arts and crafts activities, encouraging creativity and giving young people the opportunity to make something special over the holiday period. February Half-Term In February, young people received a pancake-making kit, offering a fun activity they could enjoy independently or alongside family members. Easter Holidays Our Easter packs gave young people the opportunity to grow their own sunflowers and tomatoes, helping them learn new skills while encouraging patience, responsibility, and wellbeing through gardening. May Half-Term Reading & Writing Pack This May half-term, we’re encouraging imagination and creativity through a reading and writing themed pack. The pack includes: A book to read A blank book for creating their own stories Hot chocolate Biscuits Stickers A bookmark Story writing prompts and tips We hope these packs continue to provide children and young people with enjoyable experiences, opportunities to learn new skills, and moments of calm and creativity during the school holidays. Our At Home Activity Packs are a reminder that support can look different for every young person, and sometimes, small activities at home can make a big difference.

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

Resources to help inform you and keep you safe around drug and alcohol use. Leaflets and Posters Download and print our leaflets and posters to use in your school, workplace, community centre, or anywhere that young people may want to learn more about our services. YouCan Leaflet Poster Parent's Leaflet Unity Leaflet Poster Parent's Leaflet On Track General Leaflet King's Lynn and West Norfolk Coaching Great Yarmouth Support SafeSpace Confidentiality Is it safe to talk here? Leaflet Substance Information Ketamine Poster Substance Information Support for Professionals Professionals' Poster Refugees & Asylum Seekers - translated into 6 languages English Arabic Farsi Kurdish Sorani Pashto (Afghan) Kurdish Kurmanji Tigrinya

We can be contacted Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The only exclusion to this is our live chat which runs Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 7pm. Our Number: 0800 970 4866 Our Email: Unity@matthewproject.org Contact Us Say Hello Please complete this form with as much information as you feel comfortable sharing. This helps us understand your enquiry and ensures it reaches the right member of our team. Phone YouCan - 0800 970 4866 Unity - 0800 970 4866 On Track - 01603 723845 Email youcan@matthewproject.org unity@matthewproject.org contact@ontracknorfolk.org Name * Phone Email* Write a message Submit Visit Us We know it can be daunting going to a new place for the first time and meeting one of our team. This is why we cover all of norfolk and can travel to meet you in a location you feel comfortable in. While we welcome people to visit our centre, we ask that you contact us ahead of time so we can make sure there is a member of our team available to meet you. Address 70 - 80 Oak Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 3AQ Opening Hours Mon - Thu Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm 9:00 am – 4:30 pm This is our reception!