A West Midlands-based charity that specialises in youth engagement in some of the region’s most deprived communities, has less than two weeks to hit a crowdfunding target for a new minibus – or face losing out altogether.
First Class Foundation, which delivers services on behalf of organisations including West Midlands Combined Authority and the Youth Justice Board, is seeking to raise £40,000 towards the cost of a new minibus to transport young people at risk of violence.
A crowdfunding appeal launched at the start of the month (March 2022) has already raised £6,337, but the terms and conditions of the campaign mean that the charity can only access the funds if the target amount is raised in full. Its deadline is Monday 4 April 2022.
First Class Foundation identified the need for the new vehicle during its delivery of Step Together, an outreach and engagement programme designed to mitigate the risk of youth violence.
Working in partnership with four inner-city schools, First Class Foundation has mobilised specially trained street teams along key routes in Birmingham since the start of the academic year in September 2021. Outreach workers, stationed at locations in Lozells and the Jewellery Quarter, chaperone more than 300 young people to and from school safely each day.
The charity hosts complementary after school provision, including mentoring and youth engagement activities at Aston’s Transformation Centre, but it says that the lack of sufficient transport is putting young people at risk, with many afraid to travel.
Sabrina Dennis, CEO of First Class Foundation, said: “There is a huge safeguarding gap right now that needs to be addressed. Our young people are extremely vulnerable and highly fearful of accessing public transport – with some justification. Only recently we saw a double stabbing in Birmingham which just reinforces the risks associated with taking certain routes in our city, whether on foot or by public transport. We are desperate to do something about it.
“We employ a team of 12 and only have one van currently available between us. A new minibus will allow us to safely transport many more young people across Birmingham and enable them to participate in positive after school activities, including forums, debates and mentoring sessions. We decided to launch the crowdfunding campaign as research shows that it has more chance of success than a long-term fundraising appeal. We would strongly urge businesses to get behind the campaign.”
Launched last year, First Class Foundation delivers youth offending services across the West Midlands, including a new project focused on reducing serious youth violence.
It was also consulted by Dr Justin Varney, head of public health at Birmingham City Council, regarding the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities and was contracted to deliver Birmingham’s Holiday Activities and Food programme to young people in Aston last year.
For more information on First Class Foundation’s crowdfunding campaign, please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/first-class-foundation-outreach-minibus
