A SOCIAL enterprise which helps young people across the Midlands to improve their lives has been given a golden seal of approval by a national body.
The Positive Youth Foundation has been awarded the Gold Standard for Investors In People (IIP) as a measure of the way it manages and supports staff.
It is rare for any organisation to pick up the Gold Award after its first assessment, but IIP practitioners were so impressed with what they saw they said they had ‘no hesitation’ in awarding the standard.
Investors in People assessor Richard Tomes said: “It was a pleasure to spend some time with the team at the Positive Youth Foundation.
“Everyone is very enthusiastic about the work they do and want to share all the positive stories with others.
“The story they have to tell is impressive.
“Not only is the work they do with young people remarkable, but a highly-effective organisation has evolved to support this and ensure it continues.
“This is an exceptional achievement of which all involved should be very proud.”
The Foundation, which also picked up a Coventry Community Cohesion Award, was established by Coventry lad Rashid Bhayat in 2011 after previously being delivered as a voluntary group.
It has 15 staff who work to support young people through sport, music, education and training as well as through a range of other activities.
In the past year alone, more than 2,000 youngsters have received assistance from the foundation.
The Foundation is funded through charged services, grants and donations and Rashid said he was proud of its latest achievement.
He added: “We have such a great team of people who would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week if they could because they are so passionate and so inspired by the young people we work with.
“To receive the Gold award from Investors In People is a massive boost for all of us and reflects on the work we do every single day to make a positive difference to young people in Coventry.”
