Martene Carroll

On the evening of Friday 26^th May over 30 young people gathered at Bridgestone Arena, NW10 to hear from a panel of Tradesmen working in a range of skilled industries, as part of the ongoing series of Real Talk Events, hosted by the Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF).

It was evident that the speakers had more than one string to their bow with Rui a local building site Manager also a Tennis Coach for JRF, Shaquille, or Shaq as he is known to JRF as their resident Dance Teacher, is a Carpenter by trade, Deon a former footballer and Coach is a Plumber, and Alvin another former professional footballer now an Electrician.

The audience heard about the values of having a trade, and that good money can be earned as there is always a demand for skilled workers. In fact, according to figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, wages have risen about 6% as a result of a shortage of skilled tradespeople, including carpenters, groundworkers, bricklayers, plasterers and plant operators in the wake of Brexit and exacerbated by the pandemic.

Shaq gave some good advice about the importance of financial literacy and learning about credit, and Rui spoke about being proactive in seeking and taking opportunities for career development.

The Real Talk sessions are part of JRF’s ‘Passport to Success’ project which is funded by Young Brent Foundation and One Flow One Brent, that aims to give young people an insight into a wide range of industries, and to arm them with the skills needed to compete in the world of work and business.

Shaq who is 24 told the audience, “I took a leap of faith when I left a large company to start my own business. I look after my money and save a lot which has helped me to recently get on the property ladder.”

Alvin said, “I thought football was everything. When I got released (by the Club) I had to do something, to work. I have no regrets in choosing my trade and it has allowed me to plan ahead.”

Deon added, “I wasn’t great in school and my dad was always on to me about getting a trade. Plumbers are in high demand and I’m glad I followed his advice.” 

He encouraged the young people listening to plan ahead in whatever they choose to do. 

JRF have hosted a series of Real Talk sessions as part of the project over the past 6-months, and the success and positive outcomes for the participants continues to grow.

If you are interested in attending future Real Talk sessions please email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject header “Passport to Success”

On Friday 5^th May JRF hosted a ‘Passport to Success’ evening that focused on the world of Business.

JRF partnered with Launch It Neasden a new vibrant enterprise centre in Brent for the Real Talk session that welcomed 20 budding entrepreneurs and business owners to the co-working space.

Each business owner had the opportunity to speak about their business, their ideas, the challenges they face, and any help they are seeking, in what was a fun and engaging conversation hosted by JRF’s Michael Adams, and business mentors, Mark Segalov and Angela Seeram.

After the session the group enjoyed refreshments during a follow-on networking session, as an opportunity to share ideas, and seek guidance from the mentors about next steps and top tips.

There is a follow on meeting planned at the end of May for many of the businesses hoping to work with Launch It Neasden, as an attractive and affordable space to help grow their business.

Launch It is part of the wider regeneration of Neasden town centre, that will support fifty young entrepreneurs to start or grow a business through a combination of co-working desks and individual workspaces.

For more information visit https://www.launchit.org.uk/neasden

JRF’s ‘Passport to Success’ project which is funded by Young Brent Foundation and One Flow One Brent, aims to give young people an insight into a wide range of industries, and to arm then with the skills needed to compete in the world of work and business.

JRF have hosted a series of Real Talk sessions as part of the project over the past 6-months, and the success and positive outcomes for the participants continues to grow.

Simon, one of the business owners in attendance commented after the session; “I found a lot of support and motivation from the Passport to Success event the other week! I was able to speak to people I wouldn’t usually come across and get some insight into the success and difficulties people find in starting a business.”

He continued; “I feel confident now that I’m part of a core of people all trying to go down the same path, with the guidance of successful and knowledgeable people.”

If you are interested in attending future Real Talk sessions please email info@jasonrobertsfoundation.org with the subject header “Passport to Success”

March 2023

In March staff from the Jason Roberts Foundation attended the launch of the ‘Take your shot studio’ a business hub and workspace located in Brent for entrepreneurs who need support growing their business ideas.

Cec Richards the founder of Slenky – an opportunities platform, and more recently the Studio led the event with some inspirational words and hope for future aspiring leaders.

Read the full article on Brent Council’s website here:

https://www.brent.gov.uk/news-in-brent/2023/march/take-your-shot-studios-opens-for-business

February 2023

JRF’s new Carbon Footprint Reduction Education Project got underway with young people developing skills and knowledge regarding climate change, through fortnightly Carbon Footprint Reduction Challenges, and a series of competitions and fun activities.

Funded by the CO₂Go Education Fund through Brent Council, the project aims to give young people the opportunity to learn more about the environment and the impact of climate change, and what steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

As well as the Carbon Footprint Reduction Challenges, the project will engage young people through sport whilst ensuring key messages regarding climate change are delivered through Environmental Workshops.

Quarterly Climate Change Olympics will involve a series of competitions and fun activities including a speed litter picking ‘waste race’ and an environmental scavenger hunt.

The young participants have already got involved in a ‘Community Give Back’ day where local residents volunteered to pick up litter across the Stonebridge Estate, clean up the Community Centre, and plant pollinators in the raised wooden beds built and erected by a team from Groundwork London, led by Programme Manager, Adrian Osler.

Brent Council are focused on the borough playing it’s part in tackling climate change and improving air quality. By 2030 the aim is for Brent to be a carbon-neutral borough, and £500,000 has been provided to make resident’s homes more energy efficient and for community groups to run education programmes, such as JRF’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Education Project. They have installed over 21,000 energy efficient streetlights, fitted 515 electric vehicle charging points, planted 4533 trees, 22 wild-flower meadows, and bee corridors – all to help protect residents from harmful emissions.

JRF staff and volunteers, the young participants, and local residents, are all committed to contributing towards a cleaner, more attractive borough.