Supporting under-represented young people in Bristol

News

15 Dec 2023

We’re teaming up with Babbasa to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome barriers to education or employment.

Article written by alex.lomax

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We are excited to announce our new partnership with Babbasa, an award-winning social enterprise based in Bristol. Working to make the city more equal and inclusive, Babbasa inspires and supports under-represented young people to pursue their ambitions through skills training, professional mentoring, events and recruitment support services.

Thrive is pleased to support Babbasa in their important work by providing a £1,000 grant that will help them to continue offering their Support Programme. One of their core services, the Support Programme works with young people who are at risk or have dropped out of education or employment, who may be facing multiple barriers or challenges, or who are disadvantaged by their background (e.g. Black and minority ethnic, disability, in care or care leavers).The programme supports young people to overcome the challenges they are facing in education or employment by providing intensive 1:1 support, targeted group activities, and aspirational or career-focused activities. It also helps young people to identify their aspirations and personal challenges, understand their rights and choices and develop the skills and confidence to pursue their ambitions.

In addition to the funding, we’re looking forward to providing opportunities for Babbasa’s young people to learn more about careers within the renewables sector. This includes plans for a site visit to one of our renewable energy projects.

“Thrive’s funding will be used to support some of our most vulnerable young people who have been disadvantaged in education or finding work due to their backgrounds, personal circumstances, or a health condition. The financial boost will ensure we can continue providing essential 1:1 support to help our young people develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations. We’re very much looking forward to working with Thrive on further initiatives to promote equal opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Bristol.”

Matt Rogers, Head of Development, Babbasa

“People and planet are at the heart of what we do and so it’s really important that we’re doing as much as we can to maximise our social impact, as well as our environmental one. We’re pleased to be able to support young people living in our home city and to champion the essential work that Babbasa are doing to break down barriers and create equal opportunities for those who are under-represented.”

–Monika Paplaczyk, Investment Director, Thrive Renewables