OUR MISSION STATEMENT

“ Empowering Young People To Gain “

Inclusion, Individuality, Independence

TOPS Training CIC is a new Social Enterprise, based in the town centre, delivering informal education for some of the most excluded young people in the Borough.

Launched in 2007, TOPS attracts referrals from the local schools panel, who nominate excluded pupils for informal education directly relevant to their individual needs. TOPS provides personal development opportunities and wherever possible aims to re-introduce young people to formal, full-time education or further training.

TOPS is contracted to the LEA for the delivery of informal education services and has worked closely with St Helens College on E2E and E2S programmes. In addition, as an independent Social Enterprise registered as a Community Interest Company, TOPS has attracted grants to support extra curricular events, including away-days, specialist sessions and outdoor activities. To date these additional facilities have been supported by the Merseyside Expanding Horizons Social Capital Fund, the National Lottery Awards for All Programme and a St Helens Chamber (LEGI) Business Start-Up Grant St Helens small grants and Health partnership.

The TOPS Training Centre is convenient and accessible for young people, close to public transport links in the town centre and currently provides for groups of up to 20 young people on a daily basis. Present indications are that many excluded pupils need continuing support when they reach school leaving age, so TOPS are currently considering in-house progression, through satisfying, supported vocational development for the young people aged 16-18. This will be known as TOPS Transition, which will be a twelve-week programme, Leading transition from school to further education or employment.

Directors and their families made a substantial investment in the initial premises and facilities, although as demand continues to expand it is anticipated that extended premises for an expanded team will be needed in the new 2008-09 academic year.

TOPS Training has started to make a considerable impact on the lives and education of some of the most disadvantaged young people in the Borough. As a result, TOPS has attracted the interest of local, regional and national organisations – including the personal interest of John Bird, co-founder of the Big Issue and the inspiration behind the Big Special Investment Fund.