Exeter PA Network announces Charity of the Year

A ground-breaking project helping young people in Devon get their lives back on track is set to become the Exeter PA Network’s first Charity of the Year.

BEEP (Business Powering Employment Programme) has already helped 93 per cent of the young people it has worked with in Devon secure work, training and education opportunities.

Now the initiative, launched as part of Exeter City Council’s Rugby World Cup Legacy work, is to receive a boost from the Exeter PA Network.

The 400-strong membership of the networking and support group is pledging to raise £7500 to fund a full programme for a dozen 16-24 year olds who need support.

The programme includes a comprehensive two-week course focusing on building each young person’s confidence, self-esteem and motivation, along with developing their skills and their own action plan, helping them to find and secure new opportunities in life. That course is then followed by on-going support through linking with mentors for many months.

Kim Glover, executive assistant at law firm Michelmores LLP, runs the Exeter PA Network and is a BEEP Ambassador.

She said: “A group of our members decided that the Network should introduce having a Charity of the Year, and they wanted it to be BEEP. We have appointed a Fundraising Co-ordinator and our aim is to raise £7,500 over the course of the year for the Exeter PA Network to fully fund one programme for 12 young people.

“BEEP is a fantastic programme that emerged from the Rugby World Cup in Exeter and is already making an incredible difference to the lives of young people, but really needs the support of the business community and others to expand.

“It is vital we make this a lasting legacy for the city of Exeter. We’re doing our bit and I know that the charity is looking for business sponsorship, volunteer mentors and companies that may be able to offer venues or work experience opportunities.”

Sandra Sampson, director of Motiv-8sw, which runs BEEP, said: “Thank you Exeter PA Network. It’s great that they are supporting a local cause that directly helps our county’s young people. That’s what BEEP does and that’s why we’re urging more companies and organisations to get in touch and get involved.”

The Exeter PA Network was set up by Kim in 2012 and works to raise the profile of admin professionals in the area, offering a forum to share best practice and providing opportunities for members to connect across different sectors based in the city and the surrounding areas.

Organisations interested in getting involved and supporting BEEP should contact Sandra Sampson on 01392 873939 and sandra@motiv-8sw.co.uk

For more information on Exeter PA Network www.exeterpanetwork.com