22 | Acquisition International, Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2024 Apr24669 Most Empowering Young People’s Development & Support Charity 2024 - East of England ENYP t its core, ENYP is a charity and service provider that is wholly focused on helping children and young people, addressing issues such as food poverty and ultimately working towards social justice. These services are becoming increasingly important, as the cost-of-living crisis that is gripping the UK at present is seeing more and more children and young people slip into poverty, with no signs of improvement in the near future. ENYP is determined to remedy this, as well as many of the side effects, such as poor mental health and substance abuse. A positive culture permeates across ENYP, an ethos that is grounded in such values as strong relationships, a good character, education, and holistic work. Providing its unique and comprehensive holistic support services to those who need them most, the charity is comprised of a committed team of staff and volunteers, individuals who have big hearts and a dedication to serving their local communities. Having experienced those living on the fringes of society first hand, members of this team see their work as much more than just a job. As Lucie Fox puts it, “our team is comprised of individuals who have personally encountered the challenges that we are striving to address. This experience has given them valuable understanding, empathy, and awareness of our mission.” She continues, “their lived experience is essential in ensuring that we meet the underlying needs and not just provide surface-level responses.” The commitment of this team is evident, and ENYP would not have been able to win this award were it not for their loyalty and dedication. The skill of its team is not always enough however, and one of the primary challenges that the charity faces on an ongoing basis is that the level of need far outweighs the support that it is able to provide. Despite already working with thousands of people living in deprived areas across Norfolk and other key regions in the East of England, the team are well aware that there are countless others out there in need of like-minded support. Often, these complex needs span generations, as the cycle of poverty is notoriously difficult to break. Securing funding is thus vital for the future of ENYP, as only through this can it continue with its game-changing projects and initiatives, many of which are incredibly important for both the consistency and sustainability of these local communities. The team acknowledge that this is a challenge in the current financial climate, but their relentless dedication to helping in any way that they can means that the future is set to be much the same, with this mission supported by a number of local churches, schools, agencies, and volunteers. Of the more than 2,500 young people helped by ENYP, there are a few testimonials that truly highlight the transformative impact that the charity has had on the lives of young people. As one glowing piece of feedback reads, “ENYP provided me with a sense of safety, togetherness, and what it’s really like to be part of a family.” This is a sentiment shared by another young person, who detailed: “ENYP was a saviour throughout my teenage years. The team helped me grow, believe in myself, and continue down a path that I love.” Through the likes of the Picnic Project, which focuses on distributing fresh food to children and young people at the charity’s clubs and providing fresh food parcels to families in need, as well as Pioneer Centres that stand as entry points for members of the community to access these services and initiatives, ENYP is making a huge difference in the lives of young people and their families. For this, it is more than deserving of being celebrated as the Most Empowering Young People’s Development & Support Charity 2024 - East of England. Contact: Lucie Fox Company: ENYP Web Address: https://www.enyp.org.uk/ Since being established back in September 2007 as a Christian charity, Norwich’s ENYP (standing for Equipping | Nurturing | Young People) has been providing its signature range of services to young people and their communities across the region and its surrounding areas. Operating primarily in local areas where the daily lives of inhabitants are impacted by a number of social or economic disadvantages, the team here work with beneficiaries to provide community-based activities and support that helps break down the barriers that prevent people from living life to the full. A
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQyNzgzNA==