On 24 May The Mix hosted a business celebration event for past and present supporters of the charity.
Celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, we have been supporting young people in the local community for just over 10 years. We want to celebrate the work we have achieved in our 10 years and look forward to the next 10.
This event was an opportunity to say thank you to you, our partners, and stakeholders, who have supported us (in different ways) over the past 10 years.
The event saw just over 50 guests attend to network with other stakeholders and our youth work team, explore The Mix building if they hadn’t been for a while, chat with young people supported by The Mix, and hear how we have positively impacted the lives of many young people in the local community.
An exhibit of The Mix over the past 10 years was on display for guests to browse and will be on display in the youth hall for the rest of 2023 for the public to view.
The presentation was started by the chair of trustees Marisa Batson and the original project manager who oversaw building 127 Ipswich Street, Adri Van der Colff, who spoke passionately about how the building was built, and how proud she is of how the building has changed in the last 10 years.
Our youth work team gave an engaging presentation on The Mix in the present and asked the audience to guess how many group sessions took place in 2022, and how many young people we support.
Young people who attended the event shared their stories of how The Mix supported them, and one young person, Frankie, revealed his graffiti art as part of his story and his battles with his mental health.
A mural created by young people stories and brought to life by local artist Frankie Rose, was also revealed on the night. The mural represents all the different stories that she read before creating the work.
The event created a real buzz in the building, with those who attended, and with our team that this is something we will continue to do in the future.
At The Mix, we see a future in which every young person from any background can thrive and grow to become their best selves. A future in which young people become change makers, with clear confident voices that are heard above the noise.
We provide a whole range of activities and programmes for young people - all for free:
• Open Access Drop Ins - a weekly space for young people
• Holiday activities - fun, adventure, trips & activities
• Detached youth work - youth workers, coming to your town or village
• Well-being support provided within local primary & secondary schools
• Life skills & employability advice for 15-25 year olds, delivered through their Together Project
• Creative activities such as drama and art expression groups
• Coaching & mentoring support
• Supportive groups such as their Diadem girls group
• Alternative education provision based at The Mix
• They have a dedicated SEN youth worker who supports all the youth work delivery
We base our youth work out of our hubs in Stowmarket and Needham Market, within local Primary & Secondary schools, as well as out and about in communities within Mid Suffolk.
Following several years of detached youth work in Needham Market, as well as the launch of our second café Duck & Teapot, based at Needham Lake, we are excited to now have a new youth space based at Crowley Park in Needham Market run by our youth work team and expand what is on offer for young people in Needham Market.
As a charity we rely on many streams of income and donations. We also have a wonderful team of volunteers who strengthen our team and the support we offer.
Read the story about our event in the local Bury Free Press.
