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In March 2026, the training centre began a programme of education with The Sid Youth CIC, a local not for profit. The Sid Youth works with young people and professionals locally to achieve the best outcomes for young people, to break down barriers and a gateway of support for wider family. They work with young people to design a variety of programmes to support young people and families. asphaleia approached Sid Youth to provide a series of sessions for our young people desig

Throughout June, we are bringing colleagues together for our first Safety and Safeguarding Month. This internal campaign is designed to keep safety visible, relevant and practical in our day to day work. Each week, staff receive a short, focused email exploring a different theme, with time to reflect, learn and take action. Rather than approaching safety as a one-off reminder, this month is about building habits. It supports staff to notice risks earlier, feel confident raisi

It's exam season at secondary schools, colleges, and asphaleia training. Exam and assessment periods can be a challenging time for many young people. Alongside the pressure to perform, exams can bring anxiety, low confidence or worries linked to previous experiences of education. preparation is key Helping young people prepare for exams is about more than academic knowledge. It also involves supporting their wellbeing, helping them understand what to expect, and encouraging c

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (11th–17th May) is led by the Mental Health Foundation and focuses on a simple but powerful message: take action. This theme reflects a growing recognition that awareness alone is not enough. The Foundation highlights that even small actions can help us feel more hopeful, less overwhelmed, and better connected to others. At a time when many people understand the importance of mental health but struggle to prioritise it, the campaign encourage

Recently, colleagues from across asphaleia came together for one of our HR forums. These sessions are designed to create a supportive and respectful space where staff can listen, reflect and share perspectives on issues that affect our working lives and the children and young people we serve. This particular forum touched on wider societal themes that many people encounter in their day-to-day lives, both inside and outside of work. While the subject matter was complex, the in

asphaleia training was pleased to welcome Emily, Claire and Jo from the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT) for an engaging careers session with our Equip and Work group students. SPFT is a major mental health trust providing care across the South East, and the team introduced students to the wide range of clinical and non‑clinical career opportunities available within the NHS. The team shared insights into roles such as psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, f

We are delighted to share that asphaleia has achieved the We invest in people accreditation from Investors in People. This accreditation recognises that strong principles and practices are in place to support our people, and that everyone understands how to use them to make work better. Most importantly, this is a shared achievement. We want to say thank you to every member of our staff team for their contribution and dedication. staff feedback Our assessment gave us a valua

On 15th April 2026, staff accompanied nine students from the Equip and Work groups to Worthing Museum. The visit began with a warm welcome from Gerry, Head of Exhibitions, and Anna, the museum’s Education Coordinator. They delivered an informative presentation about starting a career in the museum sector, outlining the wide range of roles available. Entry‑level opportunities include retail and visitor‑service positions, while more specialist posts often require higher qualifi

Last month, asphaleia shared its annual staff awards with colleagues across the organisation. These awards are designed to recognise exceptional contributions and commitment shown over the past year. While the awards highlight individual staff achievements, we value the hard work and dedication of every member of our team. In January, staff were invited to nominate colleagues for two of the awards, guided by the asphaleia values and how those values are demonstrated in day‑to

At the start of the month, we had a fantastic and inspiring Careers Week filled with guest speakers, hands‑on resources, and plenty of opportunities for students to explore their futures. Across three busy days, students engaged with employers, gained insights into different industries, and discovered new pathways available to them both locally and nationally. day 1: launching national careers week The week began with a refreshed careers noticeboard in a central student space

The 18th March 2026 is national child exploitation awareness day, #CEADay26. It is a day to highlight the issues surrounding child exploitation and encourage everyone to think, spot, and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to child exploitation. CE Day is led by the NWG charity CCE or CSE can happen to any child or young person. We encourage you to speak to children and young people you live or work with to discuss these topics, to educate them to recognise pos

This week marks National Careers Week 2026 (2–7 March) . It's a nationwide celebration dedicated to empowering young people as they explore future career pathways. The week provides a valuable moment in the academic calendar to shine a spotlight on careers guidance, helping students explore different careers and feel inspired about what comes next. why national careers week matters National Careers Week (NCW) brings together schools, colleges, universities, employers and org

On 10th February 2026, people and organisations across the UK and around the world are coming together to mark Safer Internet Day , an annual campaign that champions the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology. This year’s theme is “Smart tech, safe choices: Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI” and it feels more relevant than ever as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life for young people. AI tools are now being used for learning, cre

Choosing next steps can feel exciting, overwhelming, or a bit of both. That’s why high‑quality careers advice plays such an important role in further education. At asphaleia training, we’re committed to helping every student make informed, confident decisions about their future. This commitment is guided by the Gatsby Benchmarks, the eight evidence‑based standards that define what excellent careers education looks like in schools and colleges across the UK. The Gatsby Benchma

In our organisation, safeguarding forums play a vital role in ensuring that young people feel safe, supported and empowered to share their experiences, ideas and concerns. These forums are more than just a place for discussion; they are a commitment to listening carefully, acting responsibly and putting the wellbeing of young people at the heart of everything we do. Towards the end of last year, our Health, Safety and Safeguarding Director held four safeguarding forums with y

Across 2025, we’re celebrating 25 years of asphaleia through many activities and through stories on our blog. This story features an interview with Carol Ann, a member of staff who has worked at asphaleia for many years and has recently become our training manager. How long have you worked for asphaleia and what role/s have you done? I started working for asphaleia in Uxbridge in 2006 as an outreach worker. I came to work with asphaleia when I saw an advert in a newspaper

Across 2025, we’re celebrating 25 years of asphaleia through many activities and through stories on our blog. This story features an interview with a member of staff who has worked at asphaleia previously, and continues to support the organisation through their current work. How long did you work or have you worked for asphaleia and what role/s have you done? I worked for asphaleia for around three years as a finance administrator and as a care worker in the houses over c

The festive season has officially arrived, and what a joyful start it’s been! Across our community, young people have been busy spreading holiday magic by decorating beautiful Christmas trees in our learning centre and our supported accommodation houses. christmas in asphaleia care Not all of our young people celebrate Christmas, but most have entered into the spirit of togetherness by joining in with opening a Christmas hamper of treats that was sent to every property. Trees

As part of the functional skills employability programme at asphaleia training, students visited the Ford Recycling Centre in West Sussex to gain first‑hand insight into sustainable practices and the world of waste management. The objective of the visit was to connect classroom learning with real‑life industry experience, showing how recycling contributes to environmental responsibility and future employment opportunities. employability and careers Tutors played a guiding rol

Christmas is coming and for some it is a time for celebrating and having fun. However, Christmas can also bring up a lot of negative feelings. December can be a difficult time for people due to things like past trauma and family problems. Also, a lot of places you would usually go to for support are closed for the holidays and you may not know where to turn to. However, there are still some services open or partially open over Christmas where you can go to get support with yo