Symmetrical is a charity with the sole purpose of supporting young people in North Staffordshire between the ages of 17 and 25 who are growing away from social care and building a life as an independent young adult.
Our mission is to surround young people leaving care with support from adults who have the skills, knowledge, experience and goodwill to act as mentors. Mentors who can offer help to gain access to education, training, work and a social and professional network that is sometimes provided by family and friends.
We would like to help youngsters develop into independent and responsible adults. We will work with young people, listen to them, understand their aspirations and collaborate when they ask for support. We will be there when things don’t go right first time.
We will provide practical help to young people, that they want and ask for. Help with everything from learning to look after themselves and their homes to celebrating successes together.
We will help them, if they wish, to plan their futures, their independent futures as resilient young people making their own way. In brief, if a youngster asks for help with something, we will do our best to collaborate with them and find a way to provide it. However, in so doing, we will be mindful of the Chinese proverb:
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Stepping stones to independence
Our sole purpose is to support care leavers. We offer advice and support to build life skills and support young people on their journey to independence. Our core offer consists of five main elements:
In partnership with Number 11, another local charity based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, we offer regular workshops where delegates can learn how to manage money and budget effectively. Workshops operate throughout the year. One to one advice is also available upon request following completion of a workshop.
Free cooking lessons teaching a range of kitchen skills. Over the course of six sessions you will learn to shop for, prepare and cook a range of simple but tasty meals that work every time and come in on budget! Sessions can be tailored to suit all levels of experience. As well as cooking with the help of an experienced chef, you will be provided with all of the ingredients to take home and make each meal again.
Monthly workshops delivered by experienced mentors will share the secrets to successful CV writing, teach you how to make your job application stand out and how to succeed in job interviews. One to one support is also available following completion of a workshop to help prepare for your interview including support with travel costs and clothing.
Symmetrical work closely with the Chamber of Trade to introduce young people to local businesses offering work experience, mentoring and apprenticeships. The charity will host an annual local business event to showcase local businesses who are involved in supporting care leavers, providing the opportunity to learn more about local businesses, find out about their offer and how they could support you.
Symmetrical offers all care leavers in Stoke-on-Trent a one-off gift of cleaning materials to help you maintain your new home. Each package is sponsored by Symmetrical, and can be delivered to you ready for move-in-day.
Places can be booked via emailing [email protected] phoning 07531 256337 or contacting us via our website.
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