Over a four-week period, we delivered a structured workshop programme as part of the RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Skills, Empowerment) initiative, working with young people aged 13–25 who are currently outside of traditional education or facing challenging life circumstances.

The programme was led by Martin Goncalves, founder of GrowMyAcademy, a nationwide creative agency specialising in marketing systems and business growth, with additional sessions delivered by guest speakers including Angelika Widz, branding specialist, and John Paul, CEO of Beatsabar Music Project an organisation built around the principle of meeting each young person where they are and helping them build a path forward through alternative education and creative development.

​

Objective

​

The core objective of the programme was to help young people recognise that they already possess skills, ideas, and potential that can be used to create opportunities whether through employment, entrepreneurship, or personal development.

We aimed to shift perspective from short-term thinking towards long-term growth by showing that there are real, achievable alternatives.

​

Delivery & Approach

​

The sessions were designed to be practical, real, and engaging moving away from theory and focusing on action.

​

Throughout the programme, participants were:

​

• Introduced to real-world business examples, including behind-the-scenes insights into how marketing and creative businesses operate

• Encouraged to identify their existing skills and think about how these could be used to generate income or build a future pathway

• Challenged to reflect on personal identity, including what they would like to be known for if someone mentioned their name

• Guided through a live “demo business” challenge, where we explored how a simple service (e.g. marketing videos created on a phone) could be positioned and sold

• Exposed to alternative ways of thinking about work, income, and opportunity

​

Engagement & Impact

​

Due to the nature of the group, engagement was initially challenging. However, through consistent delivery, practical exercises, and real conversations, trust began to build over time.

​

As the programme progressed, participants became more open, more involved, and more willing to engage with ideas and activities.

​

The focus was not on perfection, but on small shifts in thinking helping them see that:

​

• They are capable of creating value

• There are multiple paths available beyond their current environment

• Their personality, skills, and experiences can be used positively

​

Outcome​

​

By the end of the programme, the sessions had created a foundation of awareness, confidence, and possibility.

​

While each individual engaged at a different level, the overall success of the programme was in opening perspective  showing that there is more available to them, and that change is possible.

​

This programme reinforced a simple but powerful idea:

​

When young people are shown real examples, given practical tools, and met with consistency even the most disengaged individuals can begin to shift their thinking.

​