A youth organisation in Oxfordshire has received funding to help its work with vulnerable teenagers and young adults.

SOFEA, located in Didcot, has been awarded £5,000 by The Cadbury Foundation via Mondelēz International’s Your Charity, Your Choice initiative.

The organisation assists individuals between 14 and 24 years old who are not engaged in conventional schooling by providing vocational training, workplace exposure, and character-building programmes.

The grant came after Hannah Gardner, who serves as head of marketing and category development at Mondelēz International, put the charity forward, with backing from staff at the company’s Uxbridge facility.

Gardner commented that SOFEA carries out remarkable work helping young people develop self-assurance, leadership abilities, and communication capabilities, and she was certain this substantial contribution would create a highly beneficial effect. She expressed pleasure that her colleagues endorsed her nomination and that the funds would enable the charity to keep providing its valuable services to young people.

SOFEA merges academic learning with practical industry experience. Its objective is to enhance job prospects and boost ambitions among those who may encounter obstacles with standard educational paths.

James Plunket, who oversees fundraising at SOFEA, stated that the organisation was deeply thankful to Gardner for puting them forward and to The Cadbury Foundation for this meaningful gift, which would enable their young participants to obtain hands-on abilities and worthwhile employment experience. He noted that at SOFEA, they hold the belief that every young person outside of mainstream education merits chances to develop and achieve, and that this funding would allow them to continue making this happen.

The Cadbury Foundation was created to commemorate company founders George and Richard Cadbury, who were recognised for their dedication to social causes. Last year marked the milestone of the foundation’s 90th year. Over £1 million has been distributed since the Your Charity Your Choice programme launched. The initiative enables Mondelēz International workers throughout the UK and Ireland to put forward charitable causes important to them for potential funding.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, remarked that their Your Charity Your Choice scheme was established to back meaningful causes and organisations that resonate with their employees, and they take great pride in the fact that for 14 years, the initiative has fulfilled this goal. She noted their excitement that £90,000 was contributed last year, coinciding with The Cadbury Foundation’s 90th anniversary, and their pleasure that SOFEA can persist in offering its community services with the foundation’s backing, assisting young individuals in expanding and strengthening their capabilities.