Hastings Advice Event
On 25th and 26th August 2011, My Future Starts Here held a free advice session in Priory Meadow Hastings. In previous years school and college leavers in need of guidance had had access to the support of their school or college Connexions adviser. This year only the most vulnerable young people were offered support. The majority of young people were not able to benefit from that service.
We felt concerned about this situation. It’s well known that A–level and GCSE results are not always what students expected or hoped for. Plans sometimes need to be reviewed, alternatives considered and choices have to be made. This is an important time for young people and their families.
A team of trained and qualified guidance staff were on hand over the two days to speak to anyone in need of information and advice. They gave their time voluntarily because of their commitment to the young people who might need support.
Young people moving on from school, sixth form or college had questions they needed to ask. Some came with parents clearly keen to make sure that their daughters or sons had the information they needed to make good decisions. Some parents came on their own with questions and comments. A variety of other people approached the team too, asking for information and advice about qualifications and work and we were pleased to meet and talk to them.
The main focus of the event, though, were the young people needing guidance at such an important time.
