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UNITED WE STAND IN OUR FIGHT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Gloves Are On is a small, not for profit registered charity. We aim to provide direction and a diverse education to support children, young adults, and their families on a wide range of sensitive issues such as mental health, school, exam pressure, crime, and bereavement. To have a positive sense of themselves, respect for others and a confident disposition to learning to strengthen the ability of individuals to meet the needs and demands of the present society and help overcome difficulties in life. Through our services, we will create inspiring opportunities for the future of those we engage with.
So, what are the roots of The Gloves Are On? I have intimate experience of what it is like to face these life challenges. I am mixed race, with a disability and grew up in an under-privileged household in a poverty-stricken area. I understand the many cultural, social and day to day obstacles that affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviours which could prevent young people from reaching their potential. I was lucky, my grandparents were supportive and encouraging which gave me coping skills, confidence and enthusiasm to approach life positively and to believe in myself but, unfortunately, not everyone will have that kind of support network.
Then, four years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. As a mother of four beautiful children, my biggest worry was not what would happen to me if I could not overcome it but what would happen to my children? Thankfully, I did beat it, but those concerns overwhelmed me and continued to play on my mind not just for my own children, but for all young people. What support would they really have in difficult situations? How loud is their voice? Who would listen to them in their time of need? Where could they turn with concerns and issues? I needed to help address these issues and establish `something’ that could do just that.
In addition to my personal experiences, from a professional point of view, I also have over 30 years of experience working with children, young people and their families within the community and in the child protection field. I am educated to a degree level in Youth and Community Education. I have trained and qualified in other crucial areas, including suicide and mental health awareness and advanced child protection safeguarding.
I am incredibly proud of winning the ‘Changing Star’ award whilst employed at Cardiff City Council that helped to turn young people’s lives around from having negative feelings about their futures to believing they could achieve whatever they set their minds to, but this was not enough, and so I founded The Gloves Are On.
Utilising my previous experience, employment skills, knowledge, passion, and determination to make a difference I started to take the work out to the community and the charity began to work closely with children, young people and families throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This included delivering informal educational packages in schools and youth establishments on specific subjects or topics i.e. mental health, bullying, knife crime, drugs or alcohol misuse etc. via a mentor, advocate and a signposting youth project.
Since January 2018, we have measured and noted many successes, made improvements in areas such as well-being, developed along with our educational partners Daydream Education a mini version of our #SeeSpeakSave programme, raising awareness around many social issues, we have broken down barriers with increased positivity on an individual and group youth basis.
So, where are we heading? Here are some of the things we are currently driving through the charity today:
#SeeSpeakSave comprehensive version focusing on Teaching Inclusivity & Social Issues is in the process of being produced with discussions around relevant marketing. Our Key Stage 2 section is designed specifically to gain the interest and inspire younger children, cartoon characters have and will be continued to be created, these characters will come to life through animation and will form part of the Gloves Are On journey through a comic, as an alternative to the norm, to reach, empower, educate and support those at a younger age.
Evidence consistently demonstrates that early intervention is key to breaking the cycle before it escalates and setting the foundation early will have a positive effect. The concept behind these packages is, see a problem, speak about it, save a life or save a situation!
#Unite4Youth is a project that has proved successful since launching December 2019. It provides `real’ paid opportunities for young people in collaboration with other organisations /charities, with the young person receiving a salary from the Gloves Are On charity. Whilst benefiting from on the job training working alongside qualified staff. The initiative is a stepping stone aimed at helping young people get on the ladder to employment. In addition to this, another exciting project being launched in September 2022 to complement part one, that was launched earlier in the year, is an inspiring calendar & diaries Black History 365. Promoting role models in our community and highlights a diary of significant and historical events.
The aim of which is to inform communities about real life inspirational Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) members of our community who from a variety of backgrounds have achieved success against the odds. The project will also feature a collage of individuals and organisations who have pledged support to projects connected to both the Gloves Are On charity and South Wales Police, Black Police Association Department.
Going forward, the charity has numerous, wonderful plans for a whole variety of projects that will continue to make a difference in local communities, once additional funding or sponsorships are secured. Therefore, one of my primary objectives is to secure future partnerships and collaborations, utilising the trademark #TheGlovesAreOn or individual sources to ensure continued support of children and young people who are the future.
As a direct result of winning a competition in the Hello Magazine, the ‘Star Mum' award, last year. Along with some of the charity’s ambassadors featured in a programme on BBC1 Dame Mary Berry festive feasts, the episode was aired in April this year celebrating work in the community achieved so far, but we now want to take things to the next level.
To find out more about #TheGlovesAreOn projects you can visit the website www.theglovesareon.co.uk or Social Media pages: Twitter handle: @sorayakelly11, Instagram : glovesareon, LinkedIn: Soraya Kelly
The children are our future, let’s work together to make it a bright one.
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