💬 Check out our linkedin for a few words from our CEO Matt Lent on our transition from Spark! to Youth Careers Collective. 💬

You can read more about our decision an our new name here: bit.ly/3VBFJTH

On 23rd October, we will also be publishing our new strategy alongside our new website - youthcareers.org.uk, and from the 3rd November, we will officially be known everywhere as Youth Careers Collective.

The wait is finally over. For the past 6 months we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on an exciting and important change, and we are now very proud to let you know that from November this year, Spark! will become Youth Careers Collective.

A new look doesn’t happen overnight. Over the past year, we’ve been brainstorming, designing, and refining - always asking ourselves how to reflect our mission more powerfully.

🔙 Looking back to move forward ⏩ As we prepare for this exciting new chapter, we’ve been reflecting on our journey. And what an exponential journey it has been!

✨ Something new is coming… Over the past year, we’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes on exciting developments. The time is nearly here to share them with you.

Feels like just yesterday we were wrapping up our last strategy day in April, and yet here we were again last Thursday, diving into our next chapter together as a team.

Our CEO, @mattlent.bsky.social and our Head of Impact, Jay St.John Levy, were pleased to be at the launch of the #YouthCensus2025 this afternoon, hosted by Youth Employment UK. An important annual census into the experience of young people across the country.

As we kick off the new academic year, we have a very exciting announcement. 🎺 🎺 🎺

Good to be at the launch of this important report from @impetus.org.uk. ‘Compound disadvantage’ is an interesting phrase, referring to the stacking up of different challenges young people face in transitioning into work.

Another successful workshop today! The team just finished interview flip at Greenford High School, the students loved it and the volunteers were great 😁 One of the volunteers was asked in their interview if they were flexible with work and responded that he could touch his toes 🤣🤣

Having a first interview can be so nerve- wracking which is why we think it's so important to give young people the chance to practice their interview skills and get feedback from employers. Check out our instagram to find out how Abdullah and Bilal found their first mock interview!

Wow it’s been three weeks since the Spark! Annual Awards! We’re excited to share the official video with you - capturing an unforgettable evening of inspiring young people, incredible businesses, schools, and volunteers.

🚀 Stay Connected with Spark! Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on our programmes and opportunities for you to get involved in! Join us on this journey - subscribe here: eepurl.com/ddN01z

We've wrapped up another incredible year of the Heathrow STEM Generation Programme!

As part of the Ealing Special Schools: Belvue Adapted Programme, seven students from Belvue School had an exciting opportunity to visit Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing), Perceval House for an exclusive tour - just in time for #NationalCareersWeek!

What an amazing line up of employers, businesses, schools and young people who have turned up today, all making big moves in kickstarting careers across west London!

🌟Special Recognition Award 2025🌟 goes to… David Scott

The winner of 🌟Young Leader of the Year🌟 is… Malika Hafeez from Featherstone High School!

The winners of the🌟SEND and AP Partnership of the Year🌟 are… Bedfont Lakes Country Park and Woodbridge Park Education Service!

The winners of 🌟School/Business Partnership of the Year🌟 are… Peabody and Hendon School!

The winners of 🌟Career Mentor and Mentee of the Year🌟 are… Tanzeel Zia and Umer Ahmed!

Everything we do at Spark! is youth led and we wanted to ensure our awards were no exception so now it’s time for our Youth Panel chaired by @Matt Lent.

We have are halfway through the awards, congratulations to our first 5 winners 🏆

The winner of 🌟Volunteer of the Year🌟 is… Louise Gibbons from NPL!

The winner of 🌟Careers Professional of the Year🌟 is… Ruhina Medhi from Stanmore College!

The winners of 🌟Work Placement Young Person of the Year🌟 are… Nynke Rumley and Bartek Farbis!

The winner of 🌟Business Partner of the Year🌟 is… Hill Group!

The winner of 🌟Work Experience Provider of the Year🌟 is ….. @Milley Hair Lounge!

Opening up the evening is Ayan a spoken word performer from Brent 🗣️ What a great way to showcase such amazing young talent!

Stay updated with us this evening to find out the winners *LIVE* 💃🏻🕺🏽

The Spark! Awards 2025 is finally here! We can’t wait to welcome all our guests to the Clayton Hotel, Chiswick. Fingers crossed for all of our nominees 🤞🏼

How do you best get young people who’ve missed out on that first job into a workplace where they can learn what it is to be part of a team and to really have that sense of achievement? The pandemic generation deserves a chance. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

A massive thank you to all our employer hosts who have made this possible 🌟 We cannot wait to meet the young people in a couple of weeks for their post work experience workshop to find out just how great this week has been for them!

This week marks the start of an exciting journey for 30 year 12 students from Ark Elvin Academy taking their first steps into the working world. The young people have been placed in high quality work experience placements across London for five days of hands on insight into their chosen industry.

The Spark team is all set up at GSK HQ to share all the great work Spark! does and how GSK employees can give back and volunteer to inspire the next generation about careers in the stem sector!

Apply Today! www.surveymonkey.com/r/3QG6YQQ

In the Spark! Youth Voice you’ll: ✨ Gain hands-on experience ✨ Work on impactful projects ✨ Develop creative skills in social media, design & more

🌟 Are you 18-24 and based in London? 🌟 Want to make a real impact in your community? Dreaming of a career in the charity sector, education or community work? We’re recruiting for Spark! Youth Voice 📅 Apply by 1st March 2025 – don’t miss this chance to grow, connect and make a difference

Special thanks to our inspiring guest speakers Karen Caruso, Strategic Relationships Director at Churchill Group and Tom Storey, founder of Storey Consulting UK, for motivating the group with their stories of resilience and opportunity. ✨

This week, we officially launched the REACH + Succeed Work Experience Project! 🎉 Supported by the Mayor of London & UKSPF, this programme empowers care-experienced young people (16-24) in Hounslow who are NEET to build employability skills and explore career pathways. 🌟

The latest ONS Labour market data revealed today that yet again unemployment for 16-24-year-olds has risen, by 0.6% to 14.5%, compared with 4.4% unemployment across all ages.

From Economic Inclusion Managers to Social Value Advisors, our mentors brought diverse expertise, inspiring their mentees! 🌍💪

This #MentoringMonth, we’re celebrating our incredible partnership with Peabody ✨ Last year, 5 students from Hendon School teamed up with mentors from Peabody and Quinn London Ltd for a transformative journey. Over 6 sessions, they gained invaluable insights into the professional world. 🏢

🏆 Nominations Are Now Open🏆

The Countdown to The Spark! Awards 2025 Has Begun! 🎉 We are so excited to share that tickets are booking up fast - secure yours today so you don’t miss out! 📅 Date: 27th February 2025 📍 Location: Clayton Hotel Chiswick

🌟 It's National Mentoring Month! 🌟 Hear from Jennifer Madukaife as she shares her inspiring journey as a mentee in the Spark! CONNECT Mentoring Programme with GSK. Discover how mentoring shaped her growth, learning and empowerment. 💡✨ 📖 Dive into her story: www.linkedin.com/pulse/import...

📧 To get involved or learn more, email [email protected] 🌐 Or sign up directly through the volunteering hub on our website: sparkcharity.org.uk/about-us/joi...