The new academic year has always felt like an exciting time, full of possibility, as we begin new programmes with young people across the UK. This year is a little different as there is a sense of uncertainty alongside the hope and optimism of a new start.

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine! Here at Grit we are winding down a little as things get a bit slower over the month of August. We have realised how important it is to top up our resources by resting, relaxing, laughing with friends, doing the things we need to do to switch off and restore after a very demanding year

This time of year is about endings and beginnings for us at Grit: our financial year end in June has always been a time when we stop, reflect on the year gone by and clarify our focus for the year ahead.

Every time I hear the phrase ‘catch-up’ being used about young people right now, I bristle. I find the phrase so damaging and counterproductive. It promotes this idea that our life is a kind of progress chart which – if something as inconvenient as a pandemic dares interrupt – we must somehow get back ‘on track’ with….

As lockdown drifts from January through February to March, I’ve been thinking how important it is that we make sure we celebrate the positives. So, here are a couple of highlights from Grit….