A Special Announcement!
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news – Storyy Group has been recognised with the Special Recognition Award at the National Landlord Investment Show Awards! This significant honour celebrates our unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of young people in the property industry through our Supported Accommodation (16+) and Children’s Home services.
This recognition is a reflection of the dedication, compassion, and hard work of our incredible Supported Accommodation (16+) and Children’s Home teams who work tirelessly to provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for the young people in our care. You are the heart of everything we do, and this award is a testament to your impact.
A special shoutout to our directors for their steady leadership throughout the year; your guidance and commitment to keeping “children and young people first” at the core of our mission has been the foundation of our success.
This award is about more than just recognition; it’s a celebration of the 1,800+ young lives we’ve impacted so far, and it’s a symbol of our belief that the best is yet to come. To our entire team, thank you for everything you’ve done to make a difference. Let’s continue this important work – here’s to shaping even more brighter futures together!
Alternative Provision
It’s been a jam-packed November at our Alternative Provision sites, with plenty of learning, exploration, and celebrations to keep everyone engaged and inspired.
Primary-Aged Alternative Provision (Storyybrook)
This past month, our younger learners dived into the theme of “People Who Help Us.” The children had amazing opportunities to connect with key figures in their communities:
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Firefighters in Action: Local fire department teams visited Storyybrook, showing the children how their equipment works, demonstrating safety procedures and even letting the children climb aboard a fire engine to explore its functions! For an extra thrill, some children visited the fire station itself, watching live emergency response drills and learning about fire safety.
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Doctors and First Aid Skills: The children had hands-on fun learning how to apply bandages as part of basic first aid. Practicing with their peers made the experience interactive and empowering, while introducing them to the essential role doctors play in keeping us healthy.
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Police Officers and Safety: By creating personalised ID cards, children learned about how police officers protect their communities and maintain safety. Through roleplay and storytelling, they explored the ways police contribute to our everyday lives.
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Teachers’ Appreciation: We turned the spotlight on our amazing educators! Children reflected on what they love most about school and brainstormed creative ways to make learning more fun and engaging for everyone.
Secondary-Aged Alternative Provision (Finchampstead & Birch Hill)
Our older students tackled some complex but essential topics during PSHE lessons, helping them build resilience, independence, and confidence:
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Mental Health and Positive Thinking: Students explored how to identify and counteract negative thinking patterns, developing strategies to adapt their mindset and approach challenges with positivity.
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Body Modifications: Discussions around tattoos, piercings, and cosmetic procedures opened up space for reflection on the long-term implications of these decisions, as well as societal perceptions of body modifications.
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Global Cooking Adventures: Our kitchens came alive with students learning to cook dishes from around the world. From traditional Chinese cuisine to fragrant Indian recipes, they honed cooking skills while gaining cultural awareness.
The Great Storyy Christmas Bake Off!
In December, students will showcase their cooking talents in the Storyy Bake Off. This challenge includes budgeting, shopping for ingredients, and following recipes to create delicious treats. It’s a fantastic way to develop independence and life skills, and we can’t wait to see the results!
Knife Angel Project Assemblies
In partnership with Thames Valley Police, we’ve been delivering powerful assemblies as part of the Knife Angel project. These sessions educate students (Year 6–11) about the risks of knife crime, exploitation, and related issues like county lines, drug running, and gang involvement.
The response has been overwhelming! We’ve even had students approach staff in public to sing songs from our assemblies — proof of the lasting impact these messages have. We also offer assemblies on topics like LGBTQIA+ issues, sexual exploitation, and more. To book an assembly for your school, email us at [email protected] or call 01344 987 877.
Supported Accommodation
Our Supported Accommodation (16+) is thriving by providing a safe, supportive home for 19 young people across four homes throughout Berkshire. These homes are buzzing with activity, and the progress made by our young people has been incredible.
Celebrating Achievements
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Nine young people are excelling in college, and one is actively seeking employment.
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A huge congratulations to one young woman who’s been accepted into a Sports Level 2 Community Activator Coach apprenticeship. She starts her journey in January and is already a role model for her peers.
Festive Fun
Last month, our homes embraced the holiday spirit, transforming decorations from Halloween to Diwali and finally decking the halls with Christmas cheer. Some highlights include:
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Cooking Together: Communal meals have become a bonding experience, with Taco Night becoming a favourite in one home.
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Creative Activities: Turning old teddy bears into “Scary Bears” for Halloween, pumpkin carving, and craft days brought creativity and joy to our spaces.
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Exciting Outings: Young people enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display in Wokingham and went ice skating at Windsor on Ice.
Apprenticeships & Training
Thinking of upskilling your team with apprenticeships in 2025?
As we look to the new year, there’s no better time to consider investing in your staff’s development. Our diverse apprenticeship offerings include:
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Early Years Education
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Sports Coaching & Community Roles
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Schools & Education Training
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Care Sector Training
These apprenticeship programmes are designed to fit the unique needs of your industry and ethos, helping your team gain the skills and experience needed for long-term success. You can find out more about how our Apprenticeships run by reading our Apprenticeship Guide for Employers & Line Managers.
Launching January 2025: Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5
Our newest apprenticeship, the Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5, covers crucial areas like child development, leadership, and well-being in early years education. The course fee is £8,000, with funding options available, and enrolment is open now.
If you’re interested, please contact Lisa, our Partnerships Manager by calling 07523 277566 or email [email protected] to sign up or learn more.
Celebrating November Graduates
Congratulations to our learners who completed their programmes this past month:
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Rhian Holmes: Early Years Educator Level 3 – Pass with Distinction
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Courtney Taylor: Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 – Pass
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Nick Hunt: Functional Skills Level 2 Maths – Pass
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Chris Jordan: Functional Skills English – Pass
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Kerry Jamison: Functional Skills English – Pass
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Maysel Aware: Functional Skills English – Pass
You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves!
Affordable CPD & Training Courses
Our engaging CPD e-learning suite is now available for just £55 per user, with licenses valid until March 2025. From Health & Safety to Business Leadership, these courses ensure your team remains compliant and up-to-date.
Got any questions? Let’s chat!
If you’d like to learn more about our services, discuss training opportunities, or make an urgent referral for Alternative Provision, click here or get in touch directly: [email protected] or 01344 987 877.
Together, we’re making a lasting difference in young lives. one step at a time.
