FOCUS Does Summer 2025

Summer is approaching, which can only mean one thing: FOCUS Does Summer is back! For the third year in a row, we will be delivering our majorly successful, FREE two-week Summer Scheme between Monday 14th – Thursday 24th July. This summer scheme is an amazing opportunity for young people to be engaged in something positive…

Inspire’s October Half-Term Scheme 2024

During the October Half-Term break, our Inspire project held its annual half-term scheme. The project’s young people – including some new faces – took part in four memorable days of activities. To make it even better, this year saw the return of the Inspire Residential at Beaumanor Hall. Led by a team of dedicated adult…

‘Catherine’s’ Story

Catherine is team leader at a city centre restaurant, and this year will give birth to her first child. She took time to reflect on her FOCUS journey with us, which began in 2017. Catherine: “I found out about Inspire from my mate in school, who knew Gavan and Michelle [former Leicestival Assistant Manager] from…

Stephen’s Story

Stephen is presently one of our most dedicated and long-standing adult volunteers. We sat down earlier this year to talk about his journey with FOCUS – from young beneficiary to volunteer today supporting other young people. “Before coming to FOCUS I hadn’t left the house. I struggled in college and school with bullying. I couldn’t…

Blake’s Story

“In 2023, my support worker at Leicester College, Wendy, handed me a leaflet about FOCUS and the Leicestival Project. She thought it may benefit me. I came to FOCUS for the first time in May. Since coming here I have learnt heritage skills such as researching festivals, film-making, and how to present correctly. I’ve also…

Kaz’s Story

Darren McWilliams, Project Manager for Inspire, met with ‘Kaz’ to discuss her experiences with Inspire, FOCUS, our work and reflecting on what worked and the impact upon her life. Darren: “What did you think of the Inspire Project during your first few sessions?” Kaz: “At first, I thought it was boring…like, really boring. We’d do…

Our 2023-24 Impact Report is here!

We’re delighted to bring you our Impact Report for 2023-24! Read how the generosity and support of all our donors, funders and fundraisers have helped us to support nearly 300 young people throughout the last financial year. Impact Report 2023-24 (Final) Back to News and Events

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know

For the past 4 years, we have been hugely fortunate to have been members of a local networking group called BNI Foxes (https://www.leicesternetworking.co.uk). Meeting every Tuesday morning, they support one another’s businesses, and that includes FOCUS. They are a fantastic group and are great supporters of our charity. Each year they’ve raised significant funds (up…

‘Why Don’t You?’

Facing the Future (FtF), FOCUS’ latest project, hosted their first community event last month – and what a success it was! ‘Why Don’t You?’ was held at the Haymarket Shopping Centre on Saturday 22nd of June. FtF’s volunteer mental-health first-aiders coordinated the event, alongside both established and new partners. The youth event aimed to highlight…