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A little about conscious youth

Conscious Youth CIC is an award-winning youth-led social enterprise based in Kirklees.

Our Services
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Our Vision

  • Conscious Youth seeks to build the self-esteem and self-worth of young adults by changing their outlook on life, by broadening their horizons and helping them to empower themselves. The aim is to enrich the lives of our young adults through mentorship, sports, arts education, cultural exploration, health & wellbeing and public service.
  • Conscious Youth aims to give access to empowerment programs, workshops, events and opportunities that place special emphasis on personal development through the arts and cooperative and collaborative learning.

Our Values

  • We believe that young adults need to be engaging their peer groups.
  • We honor the power of the young adult’s voice and the importance of young adults in our society.
  • We value a community in which all young adults are respected and encouraged to be active citizens.
  • We value community partnerships that align with our vision and mission.

Our Mission Statement

  • Inspiring, engaging and empowering young adults through community participation.

Conscious Youth

The organisation was established in 2016 and has worked with over 900 young people across Kirklees. Our work challenges inequalities by creating opportunities for young people to influence change and make a positive difference in their communities. Our initiatives and events include; Conscious Kidz, Conscious Girls, Empower Yourself, Unified Youth Fest, Voices2Action and Stepping up and Stepping out.

The organisation is run by Serena Johnson and Sophie Simpson who both have established a great reputation in the delivery of youth and community work projects and are supported by an advisory board who are experienced in social enterprise management and youth and community development.

Meet the

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Sophie Simpson

Co-Founder & Director of Operations

LLB experienced youth worker in a voluntary capacity. Sophie has immense experience in training, coaching, developing and managing young people. Sophie has over 10 years management experience in business strategy, company law, human resources, coaching, mentoring, negotiating and planning.

What’s the best advice you have been given?

“Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.” 

What is your favourite quote?

“She remembered who she was and the game changed”

What book would you recommend?

Lucky by Jackie Collins and the Subtle art of not giving a f£&k

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Serena Johnson

Co-Founder & Director of Programmes

JNC qualified youth and community practitioner with a passion for self-development and youth empowerment. Her previous role was as a community engagement and development officer for Kirklees council. Her previous experience includes planning, writing and presenting for broadcast television.

What’s the best advice you have been given?

Worrying about things which are out of your control doesn’t solve problems. Put that energy into the things you can control or change. 

What is your favourite quote?

Dance like nobody is watching, 

Sing like nobody is listening, 

Love like you will never get hurt 

And live each day is your last. 

What book would you recommend?

Feel the fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers.

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Gill Kirkman

Director

What’s the best advice you have been given?

“The past is behind you so learn from it. The future is ahead so plan for it , the present is here so live it!” 

What is your favourite quote?

“Failures are made only by those who fail to dare, not by those who dare to fail."

What book would you recommend?

"No Matter What a book of a mother and child and no matter how naughty or mischievous the little dragon was the mother dragon reassured  him she would love him no matter what. It was a powerful and beautiful book for both of us"

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Bernett Simpson

Youth Worker

What’s the best advice you have been given?

"Do the best you can don’t give up keep trying"

What is your favourite quote?

“Do onto others as you would do for yourself"

What book would you recommend?

"The Holy Bible"

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Kara Thomas

Empowerment Coach

What's the best advice I have been given?

"Always stay open minded. Stay open to learning. Other peoples opinions are none of your business"

What is your favourite Quote

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

What book would you recommend?

"It is impossible to pick one...starting point: 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C Maxwell"

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Vacant Position

Comms & Marketing Assistant

Info coming soon

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Viktor Jaroszewski Adejonno

Youth Volunteer

What’s the best advice you have been given?

What is your favourite quote?

What book would you recommend?

 

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AJ

Youth Volunteer

What’s the best advice you have been given?

What is your favourite quote?

What book would you recommend?

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Theo Senior

Trainee Youth Worker

What's the best advice I have been given?

Focus on yourself not others and you’ll get far

What is your favourite Quote

Never stop dreaming

What book would you recommend?

The alchemist

Youth Group

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Gavain

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Dario

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Aarone

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Naomi

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Diamond

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Idris

Advisory board Associates

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Chris Chinnock

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Martin Purcell

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Matthew Johnson

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Gill Kirkman

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Vacant

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Dr Mike Jervis

Consultant

What People

Tamika

17, Youth Group

Being a part of Conscious Youth for nearly two years, I have learnt and seen many different things. Having Serena and Sophie as mentors was amazing. They both share a great passion for helping young people progress and develop into what and where they want to be.

They mainly focused on bettering our wellbeing and mind-sets to make sure that we had healthy minds which were always open to new possibilities. They did this by introducing us to different things such as learning about chakras, planning events and self-evaluating ourselves and then comparing what we think to what others said about us as individuals. I can happily say that my confidence and self-knowledge has greatly increased and benefited from my journey with Conscious Youth. I also now have a greater understanding of business and setting goals for myself to achieve and this will be useful throughout all of my life.

 

Parent

At first my daughter was very reluctant to join a group session as she was anxious about who might be there. After attending her 1st session she actually said “thanks for making me go Mum, it was great”.
I’ve seen a real difference in her mood & she has been looking forward to the sessions each week. She was disappointed to miss 2 sessions when we were on holiday but delighted to attend the social evening and to have the opportunity for a 1:1 session.
This is a fantastic service for our young people who desperately need support but aren’t, perhaps, deemed serious enough to receive individual well-being support.
I hope they continue & we can benefit from similar sessions in the future. Well done & thank you to all involved 👏

Shanta

18, Youth Group

I gained so many positive things from conscious youth. When I first began I was so surprised to see so many confident intelligent role models around me some of which were my age or even younger. From getting closer to the members I also gained this confidence and have been able to benefit from it in other parts of my life such as in university and in other extra curricular activities that I participate in.

I have also had the opportunity to be a part of and attend some fantastic events such as Councillors meetings and government voting discussions which have increased my knowledge about our economic and democratic system and the way it works!

Laylah

18, Youth Group

My time in Conscious Youth has been extremely valuable for myself as a person and for my professional/academic life. Every meeting was beneficial to me, Serena and Sophie would allow all of us to understand our potential and the opportunities in front of us. They also provided us with many opportunities such as the political conference held prior to the snap election and the women’s empowering event which reached out to every member of the group.

My time in the group has built on my confidence and I have taken this with me to university. As Serena was always encouraging me to participate in public speaking it was down to her support that allowed me to run as the Law year 1 course president which involved public speaking in front of hundreds of students. The confidence the group has built within me allowed me to win the election.

Prior to joining Conscious Youth I didn’t push myself to build on my character. Both Serena and Sophie provided us with a feeling of self empowerment that has stuck with me since I have left Huddersfield. Conscious Youth is an extremely valuable group, every project has been of importance and the group as a whole builds on every member individually.

 

Karrera

18, Youth Group

My experience being part of the Conscious Youth group has given me the opportunity to enhance skills working alongside other youths my age and partnerships. It has provided great experiences which has allowed me to become more confident as well as helped me progress with team work skills, contributing ideas effectively and learning new knowledge.

 

Ben

Volunteer

They create fantastic opportunities for young people. This is a grass roots organisation that has been developed and led by young people.
I cannot wait to see what comes next!

SJ Adams

Parent

My son became actively involved with Conscious Youth in Autumn 2019. He started off by offering to teach the younger children how to play chess then progressed to helping support sessions on a weekly basis. He has been involved in recruitment panels and creating video content for their social media and was even given the opportunity to meet and speak to Will and Kate as part of National Volunteering Week.
Sophie and Serena have been instrumental in nurturing my son's talent and presenting him with fantastic opportunities outside of a formal educational setting. They have tailored their approach to working with my son and have shown a genuine interest in seeing him progress and grow.
As a parent I fully trust and value their input. Their approach to Youth Work is young people led, progressive and forward thinking and I am excited by the possibilities that lay ahead.
Thank you again Sophie and Serena for everything you do! ♡

Steve Jones

Parent

Thanks to Conscious youth for supporting my child in 2019. My child lacked confidence and had little interactive skills. After attending the youth activities for a few weeks her interactive skills have improved, she has new friends and has a new sense of identity. Conscious youth is the high light of her week. As a looked after child it has given her a move in the right direction. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers.