GFS Platform Skegness

‘The Girls Friendly Society (GFS) is a movement for young women that aims to widen horizons and celebrate individuality and talents, with love and understanding.

Our vision is to inspire young women and challenge them to break down barriers, building on their achievements to become independent women.’

Primary activities and purpose of project

GFS Platform is a national charity that started in 1875 as the Girls Friendly Society to support girls coming into cities from the country to seekwork. It helped them to gain the skills that would enable them to find work rather than end up destitute. Today GFS Platform’s work is still relevant, offering girls and young women opportunities to develop their potential, pursue aspirations, gain confidence and turn their lives around.

We want girls and young women to be happier, more resilient, and determined in the face of challenges; to take control of their own lives and have positive experiences. We want them to develop their own values to help them to make decisions and to contribute to their local communities.

GFS Platform Skegness opened in November 1998 in response to the social deprivation, social exclusion and high teenage pregnancy rates in the Skegness area. The project supportsgirls and young women aged 11-25 living in the town centre and surrounding rural areas.

GFS Platform Skegness offers a safe and secure environment for girls and young women where a range of activities, support, advice, and advocacy are available. The main focus of our work is preventative, group work activities with girls and young women aged 11-19, particularly aimed at raising confidence, self-esteem and aspirations. In addition, we continue to work with young mums aged between 14-25 years, who are welcome to access our group work activities, or who may wish to access more formal educational opportunities with a view to returning to education, training or employment. To this end, we can provide a free crèche for some of the activities we offer.

Our approach with young women is outcomes based and we are currently piloting our own outcomes framework, based on the work of NCVYS and the Young Foundation. Our 5 outcomes for young women are:

  1. Young women have increased skills that enable them to make positive, sustainable life changes
  2. Young women are more confident in managing risks and staying safe
  3. Young women are more able to think creatively to solve their own problems
  4. Young women are more confident and have improved communication skills, enabling them to share their views
  5. Young women have increased awareness of issues important to them, and feel empowered to explore these both in a safe, supportive single gender environment

All of our services will be expected to demonstrate how they contribute to these outcomes. Our services should also be demonstrably needs led and based on thorough consultation with young women.

During the last 17 years, the project has grown to support the needs of the Skegness community. We currently also have sessions taking place at inMablethorpe and Spilsby.Given the high profile cuts to local services and benefits, and the still high rates of unemployment and teenage pregnancy in Lincolnshire, we would hope to be able to continue to expand our offer throughout Skegness and the surrounding areas, through outreach services or joint working with local partners.

Organisational Management

GFS Platform is managed by the Director who reports to the Board of Trustees; a Senior Management Team of three reports to the Director. Girls and young womenare at the heart of decision making and can stand for co-option as young trustees on the board, or become part of the Youth Work Committee. Feedback from young women is highly valued and always taken into consideration when decisions are made; GFS follows ‘Hear by Right’ - the National Youth Agency’s participation framework. There is a robust selection and screening system in place for all staff and volunteers (including trustees)with regular DBS checks. There is a formal induction process and on-going support and supervision is provided for all staff and volunteers. National health and safety and Ofstedlegislation are adhered to. All GFS Platform policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated.

GFS Platform values diversity and aims to ensure that everyone who uses the services, members, job applicants, employees, volunteers and contractors receive equal treatment within current equality legislation.

GFS Platform is committed to ensuring that the children, young people (under the age of 18) and vulnerable adults in its care are protected from actual or potential abuse and has a Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy providing clear instructions about handling incidents of suspected or actual child abuse. Our policy and procedures are in line with the framework of childcare legislation, regulations and guidance.

Updated November2015Page 1