Starting Point

We had such a lovely time coming together for Volunteer Week.

It was great to share food, spend time catching up, and take part in a really helpful resilience training session with Ali – thank you!

A huge thank you to all our fantastic volunteers. Your support makes such a difference to the people we work with, and we’re so grateful for everything you do 🌟

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we are celebrating the incredible people who help us enable transformation in the lives of young people in Reading 🙌

Our volunteers don't just give their time – they build skills, connect with amazing people, and make a real impact.

Ready to make a difference? Why not volunteer as a mentor?

👉 Sign up here: startingpoint.org.uk/get-involved

At Starting Point, we work with young people who are often overlooked or considered difficult to engage. We know that in the right environment, or with the right opportunity, they can thrive.

We aren't looking for long-term internships or complex training programs, but are simply looking for local business owners who can offer some work experience over a couple of weeks.

What might this look like?
• Letting a young person observe a team meeting.
• Showing them a typical ‘day in the life’ of your role
• Explaining how priorities are set and workload managed
• A tour of your workspace and a chat about your industry.

To you, it’s just another few mornings. To them, it could be a starting point towards a first job.

How it works: You reach out, and we’ll learn a bit about what you do and match you with a young person whose interests align with your business.

If this is something you feel you can offer, please email us at [email protected]

Starting Point are proud to present our impact report from 2025.

Throughout 2025 the young people have faced increasing challenges, with securing work within the current employment landscape, alongside their wellbeing during the mental health crisis. We have continued to provide support through mentoring, the Hub, creative opportunities, and amplifying their voices – empowering them to make and sustain positive change in themselves and their community.

Thank you to all our volunteers and partners who have enabled this work to continue.

“I really appreciated our time just getting to talk through some stuff and feeling so supported!”
Young person

You can read the full report on our website at startingpoint.org.uk/news/impact2025/