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Case Study from Be the Change Brighton Catch Up & Inspire

Written by: Be the change
Published on: 24 May 2017

"Have no regrets in life - that’s what I learnt from this amazing programme"

Gemma Creamer - BtC

Gemma Creamer, a Year 10 student from Blatchington Mill School in Hove, has a much more positive outlook thanks to Be the Change. The programme has given Gemma the motivation and confidence to move on from past challenges and inspired her to help others worse off than herself.

Gemma is hoping to participate in Blatchington Mill’s 2018 expedition with African Adventures. African Adventures gives people from all around the UK the chance to enjoy volunteering experiences in Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar with locally run and led partner projects. African Adventures provides humanitarian, financial and developmental support to 21 educational partner projects, helping to improve the lives of 20,000 young people, through the provision of schooling and food. Through this trip, Blatchington Mill students will have the opportunity to embark on a life-changing journey and contribute to making a tangible difference to the projects by helping with teaching, vital building work and sports coaching.

Gemma has set up a fundraising account to help raise monies to pay for her place on the expedition in 2018. After sitting their GCSEs in Year 11, Blatchington Mill students will go to Zanzibar to work in a community of young children, supporting with different activities, helping to construct huts and buildings that will form part of the school and give the children hope and confidence for the future.  If you’re interested in supporting Gemma achieve her £1,700 target visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Gemma-Zanzibar-2018

After mentioning her ambition to become a lawyer at last week’s Catch Up and Inspire session, Gemma has also been offered work experience at Martin Searle Solicitors via one of the business mentors from Brighton & Hove County Council.

Gemma said: “I’m very grateful for this entire experience, it has really changed my life. I didn't change a lot at the beginning, actually I got worse.  Now I'm in a place where I can try to become someone that people can be proud of and show those people who never believed in me, that I can do it and I will do it, I will be happy again.  I have learnt new things and skills over this course that will equip me for life. I have realised that I haven't had the greatest start to life but then some people have had it worse. I would be honoured to be a part of this again, some way or another.”