We were lucky enough to have 60 volunteers over two afternoons from Irwin Mitchell come and help at Endeavour recently. 

The volunteers were all on Irwin Mitchell’s graduate training programme and came to us as part of their induction to the company to get involved in the local community and learn about corporate social responsibility.

We were amazed how much the two teams got done with a large group clearing out our portacabin so it can be used for team-building activities, and others brightening up some exterior windows and our hallway with a new paint job. Volunteers also helped out with weeding, varnishing a bench and helping set up our new music studio.

The sun was shining on both days and all the volunteers worked hard and said they enjoyed their time with us.

Alex Burgess, Graduate Recruitment Officer at Irwin Mitchell said: “We were grateful for the opportunity to be able to help this fantastic project and the trainees found it very rewarding giving a helping hand. The Endeavour team were fantastic and we had a really enjoyable couple of days”.

Endeavour’s link to Irwin Mitchell came through our local branch of Business in the Community who do brilliant work linking up businesses and charities: www.bitc.org.uk

If you are interested in organising a corporate volunteer day at Endeavour, we would be happy to discuss with you.

Contact Graham Booth: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 07793 488871

Endeavour is pleased to report our GCSE pass rate at our Education Centre in Sheffield for 2015-16 is at 82%, with a number of students achieving A and A* grades. This is a fantastic achievement, especially considering some of the barriers our learners face and the fact that we are an alternative education provision.

29 learners at the Endeavour Education Centre entered GCSE examinations this year, an increase of 12 on last year. We wanted to build on last year’s success and be able to offer more learners the opportunity to take GCSEs this year, offering additional subjects in English Language, English Literature and History. This has enabled learners to experience a wider range of subjects and gain more qualifications.

Working in partnership with Sheffield City Council and local schools, our learners at the Education Centre are referred to Endeavour for a variety of reasons, but they are often children missing from mainstream education. This may be because they are new to the city or new to the country and some learners come to Endeavour with limited or no English. They may have fallen through the cracks in mainstream education, or be at risk of being expelled. Some learners have mild learning difficulties and others are teenage parents or young carers. Some of our learners are vulnerable and need that extra support that Endeavour provides, and a high level of wrap-around care.

Some learners come to the Education Centre with an attendance rate as low as 0-30% in mainstream education. With Endeavour, attendance rates average 78% and for them to overcome previous barriers and obtain these valuable qualifications with us is a huge leap forward.

Endeavour Curriculum Manager Hannah Shaw said: “The fact that our learners have managed to overcome these barriers and obtain these qualifications is an outstanding achievement. Their determination and resilience has enabled them to continue their education and work towards improving their future. We are extremely proud of all they have achieved this year and wish everyone the best of luck for the future”.

Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year

We are delighted to have been chosen as the new local charity of the year for Sainsbury’s the Moor in Sheffield.

Each Sainsbury’s store across the UK chooses a shortlist of three local charities each year, which is then voted on by customers, staff and members of the public. Having been shortlisted in June, we recently received the call from Store Manager Claire Howard to tell us we had won the vote at the Moor.

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us and help us spread the word. We are really looking forward to working with Sainsbury’s the Moor on a variety of employee engagement and fundraising events over the coming 12 months and we will keep you posted on our activities.

For more information on the scheme, visit: https://www.sainsburyslocalcharity.co.uk/

Two new ways to fund raise for Endeavour

Endeavour is now working with two organisations to help us raise more money to support our work with young people.

1) Easy Fundraising

This is an easy and free way to raise money for Endeavour every time you shop online. Just visit http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/endeavour and sign up for free.

You can then install an app to your tool bar which highlights every time you’re on a site that supports Easy Fundraising.

Every time you buy something, a certain percentage comes to Endeavour. Easy money!

2) Charity Challenge

For those who want to get  bit more active, we are now working with Charity Challenge to offer a huge variety of life-changing events in the UK and abroad.

Activities include London to Paris bike rides, Amazon jungle challenges, Great Wall of China trekking, Three Peaks challenge, canoeing and kayaking or trekking to Machu Pichu.

Endeavour and Charity Challenge can work with teams to create a bespoke package, or you can join any number of ‘off-the=shelf’ challenges as an individual or small team.

Challenge events offer a life changing experience whilst raising funds to change young people’s lives.

Details on all our events and how to take part can be found at: https://www.charitychallenge.com/choose-your-challenge.html?wl=1&c=3680

For more information contact Graham Booth: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it