THE FIRST grant from a new fund set up to support projects that help Reading’s younger folk.
The John Sykes Foundation presented £1,000 to Starting Point, which provides safe spaces, mentoring, and creating opportunities for young people in the Reading community.
The funding was matched by a further £1,000 by Amanda and Stuart Stephens, parents of Olly Stephens, who lost his life in January 2021 as a result of knife crime.
The money will be used towards Starting Point’s Hub, which runs during summer months, giving youngsters a safe space to drop in, access support, and build confidence and connections in the community.
John Sykes, Amanda and Stuart Stephens, visited Katherine Shepherd, CEO of Starting Point, at their new location on Sackville Street, to learn more about their work.
It is project of The Mustard Tree, a Reading-based charity that partners local communities, other charities, and statutory organisations to identify unmet needs among the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society.
They have been instrumental in providing resources and mentorship to young people as they navigate various challenges.
This grant will amplify their impact, opening doors for more youths in Reading to access education, skills development, and community engagement programs.
Mr Sykes said: “We are honoured to collaborate with Amanda and Stuart in this meaningful endeavour and are proud to support Starting Point’s mission with their Summer Hub sessions for young people who are experiencing challenges.
“We believe in the power of providing safe and nurturing spaces for the youth of Reading to experience fulfilment, connection, and a sense of belonging during the holidays.
“Together, we aim to make a lasting impact on the lives of young individuals in our community.”
Mr and Mrs Stephens added: “We are proud to donate £1,000 from Olly’s fund to support Starting Point, an organisation which mentors and offers a safe place to our children, as they navigate an often hostile and unkind world.”
Ms Shepherd expressed gratitude for the grant, saying, “We are very grateful to the John Sykes Foundation and Amanda and Stuart Stephens for their generous donation of £2,000.
“This funding will enable us to run our Starting Point hub for young people during school holidays, which is often a time when young people feel most isolated and alone.
“Our hubs are a safe space with young people commenting that ‘it’s nice to be able to chat with you and meet other young people’ or ‘I have something to do … that helps with routine, meeting new people I wouldn’t have met somewhere like school, … and building confidence to talk to new people’.
“It is great to be partnering together to provide this much-needed support for young people in Reading.”
The John Sykes Foundation says this donation underscores its dedication to fostering positive change at the grassroots level, and exemplifies the Foundation’s belief in the transformative power of community-driven initiatives, especially those focused on youth, education, and personal empowerment.
Applications from charities and groups in the Reading area are currently being accepted by the John Sykes Foundation. For more details, or to apply, log on to: https://www.johnsykesfoundation.org/reading-youth-fund.php
