Impact and Innovation in Action: AFK's work with Schools in 2024
Impact and Innovation in Action: AFK's Services in 2024
The New Year at AFK brings in a fresh range of services available as well as continuing to provide our long established programmes by creating opportunities for disabled children and young people to increase their independence, reach their potential and overcome barriers they face.
We are currently offering the following services to schools and colleges:
- Employer Visits
- Work placements
- Employment workshops and masterclasses
- Leadership programmes
- Independent Travel Training
- Self-Employment programme
- Referral to our employment support programme (post 16)
Employer Visits
National Theatre, The Old Vic, Arriva & Fireshine Games are just a few of the employers that we are currently working with and others to give young people an idea of all the kinds of jobs that are available. Our employer visits can happen on the premises of our partner schools or at offices of the employer, where they can present their industry, role and career paths to the students. These are fantastic opportunities for young people to find out about all the different roles and careers in different sectors that are available and also give them a chance to have some hands-on experience. We run these at different times throughout the year depending on the availability of the employers.
Work placements
We work with educational partners and are currently offering structured four-week accredited work placements for 11-25 year olds at ‘Bikes For Good Causes’ our bike repair/coffee shop and ‘Edible Gardens’ our allotment project next to the Waterside Cafe. These work placements aim to inform and educate young people about the roles and responsibilities of employment and provide them with valuable opportunities and experience to enhance their employability skills and knowledge. Up and coming opportunities this year will include Kerb, Oliver Bonas, Caretech and ASOS.
Employment workshops and masterclasses
Our workshops and masterclasses involve connecting young people (typically aged 16-25) where we can help to provide skills, knowledge, and inspiration for transitioning from education to employment. Each session is customised and focuses on diverse employability skills such as understanding career sectors, professional communication, personal branding, and interview success. We can organise these with schools at the beginning of the academic year to fit in with the career/curriculum programme. Our masterclasses and workshops will be run by either AFK staff or one of our corporate partners. Previous partners have included Vodafone and Accenture. Up and coming partner workshops will include Netflix and Metropolitan Police.
Leadership programmes
Through the Leadership programme young people have the opportunity to attend staff/expert-led sessions where they can help co-create solutions for better opportunities as well as advocate for inclusivity and accessibility for themselves and other young people who identify as neurodiverse or disabled. The program aims to empower young people, promote inclusivity, drive change, engage with leadership, and create a sustainable impact. Sessions coming up this year include Self-Employment, Fundraising & Marketing, Independence and travel training to name a few.
Independent Travel Training
AFK promotes independence for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and has developed a travel training program individually tailored to the needs of young people attending school, work placements or who get paid jobs as part of our Life & Work programme. We know that for many young people and their families this is a big and sometimes frightening step. We believe that by listening to young people and their parents’ concerns and with the right training and support any young person can make remarkable progress towards independent travel.
Self-Employment programme
At AFK we want every disabled student and young person to have the opportunity to realise their ideas and potential, to be given the tools and support to become self-employed. Our Self-Employment Programme looks at the requirements to becoming successfully self-employment. We will be running the programme a few days a week and we will be hearing firsthand accounts from disabled and nondisabled specialists and entrepreneurs. We will also be mentoring our young people with carefully selected corporate partners who will guide our young people through the start of their business journey. Sessions will be delivered as a mixture of 121s and group sessions.
Referral to our employment support programme (post 16)
The aim of our Employment & Skills Programme is to support disabled London residents aged 16-25 into paid employment. (Please note that while we are based in the North London area, we do welcome requests from elsewhere in England as we may be able to work with you virtually online). We provide skills training and real-world work experience, leading to job opportunities and flexible support into paid employment such as:
- Develop an Action Plan with a set of goals for work.
- Build your skills and confidence.
- Practice your interview skills with a Job Coach.
- Complete work placements in real working environments.
- Get help applying for jobs and preparing for interviews and be supported as you get used to your new job.