The Hargreaves Foundation supports 1625 Independent People

The Hargreaves Foundation has awarded 1625 Independent People vital funding. They provide one to one academic support and exam entry costs for vulnerable people attending their Youth Education Service (YES) in Bristol and surrounding areas. This funding will directly benefit 21 young people aged 16-18, helping them to gain essential functional skills qualifications in English and Maths.

1625 Independent People provides a safe place to live and offers support to young people facing homelessness, including care and custody leavers and unaccompanied asylum seekers. The YES program, now integrated within the charity, provides tailored education support to help young people re-engage with learning and build their confidence. The Hargreaves Foundation’s grant will specifically fund support from qualified tutors, enabling students to build positive relationships and overcome learning barriers, as well as covering the costs of exam entries.

The funding addresses a critical gap, as tuition costs are covered by local authorities, but essential 1:1 support and exam fees are note. This support is crucial for young people who often arrive at YES with low self-confidence, negative experiences in education, and additional vulnerabilities such as learning disabilities, neurodiversity, and trauma.

1625 Independent People will monitor the program’s success through enrollment, progression, qualification, attendance, and wellbeing data. They will also collect feedback from service users and staff through surveys and conduct regular strategic reviews. Their work showcases positive changes in young people’s lives. The organisation is a sector-leading youth homeless charity with a strong track record of supporting vulnerable young people.