by faithyoung | Oct 15, 2024 | 2024, Funding Projects
As one of Scarborough’s charities, we, the team at Futureworks NY, is offering the chance for everyone to help make a difference to their local community on Saturday 19th October 2024!
We officially launch our Freedom Funding campaign at Furniture Works, our homewares retail outlet at 39 St Thomas Street, Scarborough, from 10am to 4pm.
Furniture Works is one of the projects run by our team.
Futureworks NY, co-founded by Michelle and Sarah, strives to encourage all ages to fulfil their potential through engagement, motivation, and support via alternative learning structures.
We have made a commitment to becoming more self-sustainable in terms of raising funds in order to be more responsive and tackle a growing waiting list.
We have set our fundraising goal at £50,000 by May 2025.
Michelle says: “Our official launch day on Saturday 19th October offers a chance to meet some of the team and ask any questions.
“We need freedom funding, and we’re searching for people who’d like to support our work and our new team. Continuous funding and financial donations are vital in helping us to provide support and guidance to vulnerable and disengaged individuals; and young people aged 15+, as we provide holistic support, as well as opportunities to develop experience, life skills and accredited qualifications.
“This will have a direct impact on bringing our waiting list down and helping those in our community who need our support.”
Sarah says: “There are many ways people can help by donating from little as £5 per month; they can do a sponsored mountain climb, bake cakes, become a corporate donor or people can support us by simply helping us raise awareness of the work we do by liking, following and sharing our social media content too.
“We very much look forward to seeing people at Furniture Works on the 19th October, during which there will be a 10% discount on items which can be purchased in our shop. We are also open to new ideas to help us.”
“Futureworks NY also works with economically inactive adults with the aim of moving them closer to employment, increasing social skills and reducing feelings of isolation for our local community in Scarborough.”
by faithyoung | Jul 11, 2024 | 2024, Blog, Funding Projects
All the Fs … Futureworks NY and Freedom Funding!
Here at Futureworks, we are very lucky in that we have applied for funding and we’ve been successful with the likes of Children In Need and other organisations.
These much-needed pots of ‘cash’ are more often than not ring fenced for particular projects.
This is completely correct and commendable, and various monies have helped fund our Adult Training, Youth Development, workshops and more.
Yet one of our aims is to become more self-sufficient with our fundraising.
In other words, by May 2025, we are hoping to generate £50,000 so we have the freedom to be flexible for our learners’ needs and requirements with ‘freedom funding’.
This will mean we are less reliant on ‘tied’ funding, enabling us to be readily responsive to those who need support, help and encouragement.
In 2027, we will celebrate our 15th anniversary and while this is some time away, we know there is ever-increasing demand in the local Scarborough area.
Therefore, by 2027, with the help of freedom funding, we are hoping to increase the number of learners we support by 40%.
We currently have a waiting list so there is definitely the need.
While this is ambitious, with help, it is entirely possible.
Freedom funding comes in many forms.
It could be corporate sponsorship by a local business.
It could be charitable ventures (we list some that we’ve already achieved below).
It could be a donation, however small (or large!).
Donate here!
It could be that your workplace nominates Futureworks NY as your charity of the year.
And of course, freedom funding also comes about from sales at Furniture Works, St Thomas Street, Scarborough.
This is our retail space in the heart of our seaside town and is part of the Futureworks NY family.
Monies made from Furniture Works sales are ploughed back into Futureworks NY, helping ‘freedom fund’ the work we do.
So, it might be easy to imagine, if we had additional freedom funding, how many people we could help!
It would mean more learners gaining employment, a place at college or entering an apprenticeship.
It goes without saying that it means we can potentially expand our team as we grow.
We have already started the freedom funding ball rolling with our Coffee Works initiative.
Pop into our Furniture Works store, grab a fresh coffee and when you pay, you know those pennies and pounds will help someone who needs that helping hand.
Our team, including CEOs Michelle Padron-Kitching and Sarah Thornton, have also put their money where their mouth is.
Charitable events include walking the entire Cleveland Way National Trail; dropping out of a plane (yes, with a parachute!), tackling a couple of half marathons including the demanding Ravenscar Half (anyone who’s tackled this knows it’s a lung buster).
It has even been said it’s tougher than the London Marathon!
We have lots more up our sleeves.
So as we become funded more freely, what elements would we be able to fund?
We would be able offer an even more rounded service, so our clients could access support for mental health, financial issues and housing.
It would mean we could develop our provision of care on an entirely bespoke basis, so the individual’s learning needs are recognised, with earlier intervention meaning that person moves on and their strengths are recognised.
As anyone who’s applied for funding knows, competition is fierce.
There are more applicants per pot of money, sometimes reducing the chances of a successful application.
And as we approach the first anniversary of becoming a registered charity, this milestone helps people see the value of our work.
Yet with recent successes such as our clients receiving their certificates, it’s clear to see how Futureworks NY and the work we do is essential.
Freedom funding means less reliance upon complex contracts and ringfenced pots of ‘spondoolies’.
Freedom funding also means we can help more learners achieve their own freedom; freedom from barriers such as mental health, lack of confidence, anxiety.
You can’t really put a price tag on that … so if you can help us and our team, we’d love to hear from you.
by faithyoung | Jun 17, 2024 | 2024, Funding Projects, Furniture Works
Furniture Works is our retail outlet in the heart of our seaside town.
This eclectic store offers a friendly, immersive shopping experience in St Thomas Street, Scarborough.
Furniture Works is part of the Furtureworks NY family; Futureworks NY is a registered charity, and the two work together to deliver support, training, workshops and more within the local community.
You will find Furniture Works is just seconds from local bus routes, a car park, and the bustling town centre of our favourite seaside resort.
And in June 2024, we celebrate our fourth anniversary ‘in business’ as it is four years since we acquired this popular, innovative and quirky retail space.
Four years ago, the world was a very different place.
We were in the midst of the Covid-19 global pandemic, which reached its height mid-2020.
Lockdowns, social distancing, caring bubbles … remember?
It was what we ourselves call, a crazy time.
And of course, we are still dealing with the virus and the fallout of this exceptional event.
Back in 2020, though, we had already begun the Furniture Works journey before the Government announced the various, ever-changing restrictions.
So, in true Futureworks NY fashion, we carried on, even though it was one of trickiest times we’ve ever known.
Furniture Works finally opened to the public in September 2020 and we were very proud, even though we say so ourselves.
We received lots of local media coverage in the local press, on regional radio and more.
Customers were intrigued as to what we were all about.
We were definitely something new, fresh and different on Scarborough’s high street.
It is worth knowing that we founded Furniture Works on the principles of proud independence, where customers could shop for bespoke furniture and cool accessories away from the big names on the high street.
Furniture items for sale in Furniture Works are the result of our wonderful clients and workshop team transforming pieces into something desirable, different and beautiful.
Every purchase helps our learners and clients get their lives into gear.
The monies raised are ploughed back into the Futureworks NY so we can help support and provide guidance; help young people aged 15 and over, develop experience opportunities and even help people acquire accredited qualifications.
In other words, if you buy that table, chair or accessory, you are helping someone reach their full potential by way of workshops, courses and more.
So, it’s a ‘triple whammy’ in that skills are taught; something is created, giving a sense of purpose; and items are ready for someone to purchase, take home and love.
Our business model also means we are helping make the business sustainable: items of furniture make their way to our store, and then to a forever home, rather than to landfill or just left to rot somewhere.
You can browse our website and social media channels at your leisure 24-7.
Pop into our shop at 39, St Thomas Street, Scarborough, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.
Our helpful team is on hand to advise or simply be there if you need to ask any questions or you can phone us on 01723 447884.
We can collect donated items and also deliver purchased items for a small fee.
DID YOU KNOW …
Futureworks NY also works with economically inactive adults with the aim of moving them closer to employment, increasing social skills and reducing feelings of isolation for our local community in Scarborough.
The team strives to encourage all ages to fulfil their potential through engagement, motivation, and support via alternative learning structures.
We continue to work within our community, encouraging all our learners to fulfil their potential through engagement, motivation and support.
by faithyoung | Mar 21, 2024 | 2024, Funding Projects
On April 6th, Tom and Sarah Thornton will be skydiving to raise money for Futureworks NY!
Futureworks NY provides support and guidance for people of all ages as well as volunteer opportunities within the local community.
Futureworks NY was founded in 2012 and provides personalised support and guidance for those looking to improve their lives.
You can donate to Just Giving here!
Our mission is to work within our community, provide support and guidance and encourage all ages to fulfil their potential through engagements, motivation and support.
Our work includes helping school age individuals includingyoung adults aged 15 years upwards; we offer Adult Training and offer qualifications for some of our clients. We also have our retail space at Furniture Works in St Thomas Street, Scarborough, along with a workshop in the town.
The projects we carry out are varied, ranging from activities to outdoor challenges to furniture restoration.
All donations welcome to help Futureworks NY continue to carry out the amazing work they do with people of all ages throughout our local communities.
by faithyoung | Feb 13, 2024 | 2024, Blog, Funding Projects
Our Waiting List
In the current climate, our waiting list is not only long, it is increasing.
This means we simply cannot reach those who really need our help.
And we think, with just a bit of help, we can reduce the waiting list, helping lots of people in the Scarborough area.
Thanks to the hard work of our team, supporters and trustees, Futureworks NY has helped over 1,200 young and adult-age clients over the years.
From being founded in 2012, thanks to local businesses, individuals, families, volunteers, and of course our clients themselves, we are now a charity, based on the Yorkshire Coast.
Grant Funding
When charities and volunteer organisations receive funding, this is something to shout about!
Futureworks NY has received both Children in Need and National Lottery funding which is fabulous news.
With grant funding, however, the monies we work hard in order to receive are ‘restricted’ or ring fenced for certain essential tasks.
Other restrictions could be upon the age of those we can help; so anyone younger may have no choice but to join the Futureworks NY queue.
With these well-known organisations helping Futureworks NY, our remit is to help our clients according to the contract set out by funders, such as those mentioned above.
And of course, this is how it should be.
Our carefully planned strategy means we use our grant funding in meticulous, transparent ways.
Yet as grateful as we are, our waiting list means we need a little more help.
Donations
Yes, we’re using the D word.
No matter how small or large, we are delighted when we get monetary donations!
Anyone who can support by donating means they are contributing to our ‘unrestricted’ funding pot.
Obviously, we keep the accounts absolutely to the finest detail.
Yet ‘unrestricted’ means we can then put the donations to what we would call ‘best use’.
It means we have the potential to make inroads on the waiting list, particularly important during these difficult times.
Mental Well Being
While this is a ‘buzzword’ in some ways, having good mental health is so important, whatever age you are.
Many of our clients struggle with their mental health.
And as we know, this can affect everything in life, from lack of confidence to feeling isolated; from feeling powerless to not being able to communicate with those closest to us.
Priorities
With so many challenges facing our clients, and as our team is at the very core of the extensive portfolio, we have at Futureworks NY, donations would be used in flexible, adaptable yet fully transparent ways.
Our sector is very fast moving, with new challenges occurring almost daily, our team is ready to meet these challenges.
Yet this constant fluctuation means even with grant funding, we simply can’t help everyone we’d like.
Benefits of Donations
A donation could enable us to ensure one of our clients has the confidence to go for that job interview or gain a qualification.
We can help our clients in so many ways, so they can exceed even their own expectations.
Other Ways to Help
Perhaps you are a business that could offer sponsorship or support, or know someone who might be able to help?
Any donation, big or small, WILL make a difference to people within our community, giving them the opportunity to gain personal skills and confidence and who knows they could be a future employee!
‘Freedom’ Funding
In addition to the fantastic contributions, we are awarded by larger funders, every penny that is donated by individuals, businesses, organisations and others gives us the freedom to expand and adapt our services in a bespoke and effective way.
Ultimately, everything we do benefits not only our clients but the wider community, too.
From helping one of our clients toward employment to gaining recognised qualifications, Futureworks NY has an extensive, tried and tested format to the work we do.
At the same time, we are always seeking to adapt our services to meet current demand for those in need.
What To Do Next
It doesn’t matter how large or small, all donations are most welcome.
Donate here.
And if you love a bit of retail therapy which also helps our cause look no further than Furniture Works.
by faithyoung | Nov 20, 2023 | 2023, Blog, Funding Projects
It’s been ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ for the Futureworks NY team!
BBC Look North’s camera rolled up to our offices and educational space here in Scarborough as part of the annual Children in Need appeal.
We received funding from Children in Need https://futureworksny.co.uk/children-in-need-funding/ and the BBC team filmed us ready for their Friday night broadcast on 17th November 2023.
Grace, David and Michelle took part as the camera rolled and the microphones were put in place.
The BBC Look North team then did their editing magic and the footage was beamed live during the Friday early evening bulletin.
Everyone did a fantastic job and it was an emotional night for everyone involved.
And as if being in front of the camera wasn’t enough, we also hit the airwaves too!
Ella and David were interviewed on BBC Radio York and this was broadcast across Yorkshire and beyond.
They travelled to the historic city of York to visit the BBC Radio York studios.
Find out more on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fwnyscarboro
Of course, we couldn’t do any of our work without Children in Need funding and without our staff, volunteers, and, most importantly of all, our clients, including Ella and Grace.
