In June, around 50 young people filtered through the entrance of Open Door Church St Neots for the Year 11 Ball. They looked amazing with many of the boys wearing suits and the girls in prom dresses. They were in for a night of dancing, candy floss, a professional photo booth and burger and chips from a food van.
Ange (our project worker in St Neots), alongside volunteers from the local churches and youth workers from the council, spent hours preparing and setting up for the event. The venue had bespoke lighting, balloons, table dressings and other decorations alongside homemade cakes and more.
It was a celebration of the wonderful young people who managed to get through their GCSEs and finish school, despite many of them facing huge challenges along the way. The St Neots Project has been running for almost 5 years now and many of these young people were in year 7 or 8 when we first came into contact. The team have journeyed with them through the highs and lows of secondary school and teenage years and the Year 11 Ball was certainly a highlight.
Each young person was called out by name, encouraged and given a certificate marking their achievement. The event was a huge success and will stay in the memories of many for years to come.