Phocus
Phocus aims to ‘Make the Impossible Possible’; encouraging local Leeds/Bradford young people aged 14 to 19, living in areas of high deprivation and that often have low aspirations, to dream bigger dreams for their lives, to believe in, and develop the potential that they hold both individually and collectively, whilst providing them with the tools to achieve it.
The project strives to have a local and international impact – internationally providing practical help for those in desperate circumstances, building homes, schools, sanitation facilities, working with street kids and kids trapped in prostitution, families, the elderly, those with polio, all in conjunction with the present needs and in partnership with local people and in country projects; currently in Sierra Leone.
Locally the project aims to increase social awareness, promote social cohesion, self and mutual respect whilst developing social skills and employability. It aims to promote the concept of ownership and the fact that if you work towards something you can achieve it; it’s about personal development, educated choice, the regeneration of our local communities, it’s about ‘seeing potential, harnessing opportunity and changing lives.’
Phocus combines local based youth work with international expedition to some of the poorest countries in the world - working alongside local grassroots organisations both locally and abroad. It aims to explore young peoples’ attitudes, values and aspirations whilst empowering individuals to make fully informed choices for their lives.
