BCT Aspire has come along way in two years and as busy as we are we sometimes gain the time to share our story and let you all know about the great work we carry out within our community. This is separate to working hard to develop a fully sustainable, self-fianancing social enterprise, that we achieve through our fast growing catering and events business. Please check out our great socially mind work below and get in touch for more details or to get involved.
General Youth Sessions / Centre
- BCT Den is a space that is open to young people who are aged between 12-17 years old. The Den is open from 6.30-9pm on week nights. Based at our home at the Synthonia Club, the space has computer & internet access, musical instruments, computer consoles as well as regular activity sessions. Always a warm drink and friendly atmosphere.
Music Lessons
- BCT offers a weekly programme of Youth Music Lessons linking to live performance events and social opportunities. Soon to be extended to include Drums, Bass Guitar and singing lessons. All at affordable prices £2.50 per hour. (Free places where applicable)
- Group Taster Sessions – BCT has great experience of introduction to music sessions. Experienced in delivering fun, innovative sessions to a wide range of young people inc. Challenging Behaviour
Recreational Activities & Links to Sports Clubs
- BCT under sports mad Paul Burgum has great formal links to many of the local sports clubs and will be putting on regular taster sessions in conjunction with the clubs. Looking to signpost and help young people integrate in to clubs or just find what they enjoy doing.
- Summer time free activity sessions
- BCT Fun Day – Our annual outdoor event has attracted over 2000 visitors in the past and is a great chance for youngsters to see what is available in the area, have a go and meet the children and coaches from the clubs.
- Branded Nights – A night to showcase local talent, in a safe family orientated environment.
Informal Learning Support
- BCT is developing great links to local training & educational facilities including: Tees Achieve, DISC, Job Clubs, Teesside University, Middlesbrough College, Business Mentors and a network of local business people willing to support local young people.
- Resource Centre – Through our relationship with Teesside University we have 15 desktop computers with full internet access that are available to local people during the day. A warm place that young people are welcome to come to and even work on their homework.
- BCT Aspire is working towards gaining accreditation for the centre through NCFE.
Cookery/Life Skills
- BCT has a large catering operation that caterer across three venues meaning that we can support young people to learn basic cooking skills and also access volunteer opportunities if they wish to take their learning further.
- BCT is a social enterprise that has a can do attitude and feels well placed to informally help young people in areas such as money management, learning social skills, cultural differences.
Signposting to Services
- BCT is a very active member of the local voluntary & community sector including many specialist services such as counselling, homelessness, addiction problems etc. As a very informal service BCT is well placed to make the initial engagement with young people and help young people to get in contact with the correct service.
Day time Drop in Centre / Resource Centre
- BCT has a fully functioning resource space that is open for use by young people during the working week. Access to computers, internet, printing facilities and a warm drink.
- Hosting a Carer’s group once a week for parents/carers of children & young people with behavioural problems, mental health issues etc. A place to meet and have a chat with other people in the same position.
Trips, Visits & Excursions
- With good links to a diverse mix of groups and opportunities such as the Armed Forces, outdoor pursuits, music and sporting events, BCT aims to organise affordable regular trips for its service users. Showing many young people the world that exists outside of their own neighbourhood.
- Our latest trip was to support local amatuer Boxing club Natural Progression with tickets heavily discounted for the group.
- BCT also provides its own regular Events showcasing local music and performance in a safe, affordable environment.
Volunteer Opportunities
- BCT runs a fully functioning business, with catering, events and youth work elements. This means that we always have great opportunities for local young people to get involved and get formal experience. We also have very good links to local business meaning that if we don’t offer the opportunity we can help to point the person in the right direction
Phoenix Enterprise Programme
- The Phoenix programme is a diverse programme that looks to mix enterprise skills, life learning, formal education and fun activity all into one programme. Successfully being piloted at the moment, the programme is delivering the some fantastic outcomes including: Young people volunteering, restarting education, Gaining apprenticeships, full employment, raising aspirations. Currently running on a Wednesday evening each programme comes up with its own project that BCT facilitate the eventual completion of through the course.
Promoting Positive Mental Health & Aspirational Sessions/Workshops
- Youth MHFA – Paul Burgum is an accredited instructor of the international Mental Health First Aid programme. Offering the programme to anyone who works with Under 18’s to improve understanding and how to help young people suffering from related issues.
- Aspirational Sessions & Workshops – Paul offers a diverse mix of sessions and talks regarding his own life and his experiences. His work has recently been used by professional Rugby League club Warrington Wolves and been booked to speak to the England Academy squad.
Fundraising
- BCT has always supported other local organisations and people through it’s fundraising activities. Recently completing a £60,000 extension to Billingham youngster Cole Lancaster’s home to assist his development. Cole suffers with Cerebral Palsy and the extension was built to make life easier for him and the family. The company has plans to develop it’s own Trust to support local people directly from it’s trading profits.
