By young people, for professionals, for young people
Our Shoes is a unique training programme designed to deliver meaningful training to professionals across various sectors, helping them interact more effectively with young people, especially those with care-experience, additional needs and disabilities, mental health challenges, or from the LGBTQ+ community.
Why "Our Shoes"?
Co-designed with our young people to respect them and their experiences. Our Shoes allows young people to be heard and share their stories from their own perspectives. The concept embraces the diversity of individual experiences without presuming to fully understand each individual's journey. The imagery of shoes highlights the uniqueness of each experience and acknowledges that it is impossible to "walk" in someone else's shoes.
The importance of Our Shoes training
Our Shoes was created to benefit young Surrey residents by adapting existing training to new markets. It emphasises Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of daily life. Co-developed with young people, it informs professionals and businesses that interact with young people, ensuring the training is relevant and impactful.
Our unique offering
Our Shoes is an award-winning training series offered by Surrey County Council, developed over the last decade in collaboration with young individuals. Led by young people who share their own experiences, these courses aim to empower your team to interact empathetically with everyone they meet, from young people you support to clients and colleagues.
This empathy-driven approach helps reduce workplace stress and conflict, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our Shoes promotes broader understanding and positive changes in practice.
By working closely with young people, we ensure the training is topical and focused, offering valuable insights into real-world experiences that help organisations and businesses create inclusive and effective workplaces.
Our commitment to youth employment
We believe in supporting and employing young people, providing them with opportunities to experience the world of work and benefit from their experiences. Employing young people is a step towards a better future for them and an opportunity for organisations and businesses to make a positive impact.
Partnership opportunities
Beyond delivering our own courses, we offer support in developing programmes tailored to your business needs. Our diverse team, including care-experienced staff and apprentices, brings unique insights that can benefit your organisation.
We provide consultancy, workshops, and a range of other services, and are eager to partner on projects that support care-experienced young people, those with additional needs and disabilities, and anyone facing emotional wellbeing or mental health challenges.
Partner with Surrey County Council and Our Shoes to create a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive environment for everyone.