The unsung heroes behind Safe New Futures: Celebrating our Advisory Board

At Safe New Futures, we pride ourselves on offering free CBT courses to individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Our mission is to pave a pathway for those struggling to find their footing in employment or training. But behind every successful initiative, there’s a team of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to ensure its success.

Today, we shine a spotlight on our Advisory Board – the unsung heroes who play a pivotal role in our journey.

Who is the Advisory Board?

The Advisory Board is a unique blend of individuals who once walked in the shoes of our course participants. Having benefited from our courses, they’ve chosen to give back by lending their invaluable skills, guidance, experience, and knowledge. Their first-hand experience with our courses provides an unmatched perspective, ensuring that our offerings remain relevant, impactful, and transformative.

The Role of the Advisory Board

Unlike a board of directors, which carries legal responsibilities and governance powers, the Advisory Board is all about guidance. They don’t make financial decisions but instead work alongside our management team, offering insights that help Safe New Futures grow and achieve its goals.

Here’s a glimpse into the crucial areas where our Advisory Board has made a significant difference in recent months:

• Leaflet review: The Advisory Board revamped our leaflets to ensure they resonate with individuals, especially those not in a good place. The focus shifted from problems to offering hope and a brighter future.
  
  
• Engaging key demographics: The Advisory Board identified crucial life junctures as potential touchpoints. For instance, one of our team members visited Fareham’s Probation Service in May to discuss our course with clients. Such initiatives are now on the radar for more frequent engagement.
  
  
• Drop-ins and workshops: The Advisory Board has been instrumental in organising drop-ins at schools, colleges, and other venues. Notably, after reaching out to Southampton Youth Hub, we were invited to run summer workshops. We also presented at Eastleigh College, introducing students to our mission.
  
  
• Humanising presentations: The Advisory Board suggested moving away from traditional PowerPoint presentations. Instead, they proposed creating videos or voiceovers of case studies, adding a personal touch and making the content more relatable.
  
  
• Handbook revamp: The Advisory Board  reviewed our workshop handbook and recommended crucial updates. For instance, they pointed out the white text on a green background could be challenging for individuals with colour vision deficiencies or dyslexia. Their suggestion? Switch to black text for better readability.

In essence, the Advisory Board is our compass, guiding us towards a future where everyone has access to the tools they need to overcome mental health challenges and find their place in the world of work and training.