Want to know how we got started?
IT ALL BEGINS…
The Network officially launched in 2016.
We’re located within the same office as Voluntary Centre Services on the ground floor of City Hall in Lincoln (UK).
The Network was set up on the back of a research project looking into the barriers experienced by young people and their employers across the city.
It was found at the time that there was a gap in joined up support.
We were set up to be that bridge and resource for young people in Lincoln, especially those looking to take their next steps into work.
SIGNPOSTING
Initially we were a signposting service, helping young people to find what support and organisations they may need. But soon, we evolved further…
To help everyone keep up to date with all the exciting things that happen in Lincoln, The Network launched Faces to Names, an “organisational speed dating” event that allowed business, organisations and providers to literally put face to names.
These are still going under the amazing Public Sector Consortium
In 2018, The Network began to support our clients with a person-centred approach. This meant, instead of just signposting, we starting supporting young people through a longer journey of mentoring.
We rebranded to “Careers Advice and Support” with a focus on the Careers-y stuff e.g. CVs, interview prep, career planning. As well as support; which means exploring what barriers and worries are holding people back, and working with them to remove them. Our support expanded to lasting anywhere from one session, to as long as they needed.
The Network has always delivered a variety of workshops. We’re happy to go into schools, colleges or other organisations and do workshops on careers planning, CV writing, emotional intelligence and more…
Seeing a common theme of social anxiety and isolation amongst young people who were out of work, we started a series of workshops called Pawsitive Possibilities alongside VIPPIES dog care. These were life skills workshops, run by people, hosted by dogs with great results for boosting social confidence. We’ve run these again since, and are always on the look out for funding to help us keep this going.
We’ve just started some more group sessions for social confidence, including The Hairy Violets and Resocialisation Scheme. Check out our projects page to find out more!
We’re always reviewing and planning the best ways to serve the young people of Lincoln, our community and economy.
We run regular focus groups, and are open to collaboration and partnership with like-minded local organisations, so if you want to get involved with the future of young people in Lincoln, email us at info@networklincoln.co.uk !