Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Max Titchener, who has been with the Foundation for an incredible eight years! We delve into Max's experiences, discuss the early days to the present of the Engage programme and reflect on his most memorable moments.
How’s the Foundation evolved over the past eight years?
Firstly, when I started, we were just Northampton Saints, and we didn’t have any partnerships or links with outside companies, so we had to go to local parks or find some indoor activities in the cabin we had outside the HQ building. The Engage programme had three young people a day with no transport, and we were the only hub at the time. Forwarding on to this present day we are now a Foundation and have six hubs across Northampton, Corby, Milton Keynes and Ipswich and support hundreds of individuals each year. We also have great links with companies and venues that we can take our young people to which we appreciate massively and transport, so we aren't mainly in the classroom, and they get a better experience with us at the Foundation.
Can you share a memorable moment which has stood out?
Having been here eight years, I have many amazing memories but one that stands out the most, is one of my first students I supported back when I was 18 years old. He joined us and had to be persuaded in by mum as he was anxious of large groups and found it hard leaving his room at times. I worked with this student a lot and we progressed massively through the two years he was with us at the Foundation. Fast forward to a couple of years later, I get a text from Jordan to say I have a student from Cardiff University starting with me for work placement and it turned out to be the student that I had all those years ago! He told me how far he's come with his sports and he's wanting to work with young people like we did with him.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy working with our young people and finding ways to help them progress in life, whether that’s getting them back into mainstream school, finding them a sports club in the local area, or even just improving behaviour so they can cope in the school they are in. I also enjoy training staff to be the best they can be and give them tools to progress them within the Foundation.
Describe your role
In my role, I oversee the day-to-day operations of the Engage Programme at the Old Northamptonain's Hub for young people who are disengaged within education. I actively collaborate with the Inclusion Managers and Operations Managers to successfully implement the Engage programme, aligning with its specific objectives. I am responsible for the management of Youth Workers and Apprentices, offering guidance, support, and facilitating professional development opportunities. Additionally, I engage closely with referrers, parents, and carers to comprehend the unique challenges faced by each young person and work towards creating individual progression pathways that offers tailored support. Building robust relationships with external partners, such as schools, social services, and community organisations, is crucial to ensuring effective collaboration and addressing the needs of the young people referred to the Engage programme.
The Foundation would like to thank Max for his ongoing commitment and making an impact on so many young peoples lives. Without employees like Max, it would not be possible for the Foundation to achieve its aims, ensuring every person has the chance for a positive future.
For upcoming vacancies click here, or to find out about the Foundation's Engage programme and make a referral, click here.
