The event was the grand finale to the 'Be the Change' programme, an initiative to boost the aspirations and job prospects of young people aged between 13 and 14. Over the last four months the students have been taking part in a series of activities designed to improve hope, happiness, confidence, relationships, to change negative behaviour and to introduce them to job and career opportunities.
The students were congratulated and awarded certificates by the programme's co-founders, Carlo Missirian and Graham Moore from the social enterprise humanutopia.
Carlo said: "It has been an incredible journey not just for these brave young people, but for everyone who has been involved - the teachers, the business volunteers and ourselves. Over the last few months we have been inspired by the way in which the students have engaged with us and their peers and as a result have become happier, more confident of their abilities and excited about their futures. We have thoroughly enjoyed working in partnership with LoveLocalJobs to create the powerful 'Be The Change' programme'."
The students come from nine secondary schools in West Sussex: Bourne Community College, Southbourne; Davison Church of England High School for Girls, Worthing; Durrington High School; Felpham Community College; Midhurst Rother College; Steyning Grammar School; The Angmering School; The Academy, Selsey and Chatsmore Catholic High School, Goring-by-Sea.
Gary Peters, MD of LoveLocalJobs.com and co-founder of 'Be the Change' said: "It's a harsh world out there for young people and many of the students on 'Be the Change' have already had to face challenges that most of us couldn't imagine. Our aim is to help them to value both themselves and other people and to develop skills which will enable them to take responsibility for their lives and ambitions."