by [email protected] | Jan 10, 2026 | Events, Langley, Volunteering, Young people's voices, Youth Work
Tuesday marked a proud and meaningful evening as we gathered for Together As One’s Annual Presentation Night.
We celebrated over 100 remarkable young people who, in 2025 alone, have given back so generously to their communities, contributing an incredible 3,979 volunteer hours. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment truly reflect the values at the heart of Together As One.
The evening was brilliantly hosted by young people themselves, with Inaaya and Sameer doing a fantastic job of guiding the event. They kept the energy high, engaged the audience, and ran a lively quiz for the assembled guests reflecting on the year just passed, which was won fairly and squarely by the Mayor!
Our hosts, Inaaya and Sameer, with Mayor Siobhan Dauti
Memorial Awards
In addition to the fun and festivities, the night was deeply meaningful as we presented our two annual memorial awards, held in loving memory of our trustees Christine Boom and Ahmed Bafadhel.
Safa was honoured with the Christine Boom Award, while Melodie and Ramaé received the award in memory of Ahmed Bafadhel. We were especially grateful to Leila, Ahmed’s sister, for joining us to present this special award.
Leila Bafadhel presents Melodie and Ramaé with the Ahmed Bafadhel Award.
Mayor Siobhan Dauti presents Safa with the Christine Boom Memorial Award.
The night was punctuated by brilliant speeches from our young people, who reflected on their volunteering experiences, the impact they have made in their communities, and the personal growth they have achieved through giving back. Their words were inspiring and reminded everyone of the difference that committed, passionate young people can make.
Noor reflects on her volunteer journey in 2025.
The evening was brought to a close by our CEO, Rob Deeks, who celebrated the accomplishments of all the young volunteers and challenged them to aim even higher in the year ahead. His closing remarks reminded us that Together As One is not just about recognition, but about motivating the next generation to continue creating positive change.
Our sincere thanks go to the Mayor and Mayoress of Slough, Cllr Siobhan Dauti and Julie Siddiqi, for attending as our special guests and joining in the celebrations. We also extend heartfelt appreciation to Gurpreet at Langley College for generously hosting the event and helping make the evening so special.
Together As One’s Annual Presentation Night was a powerful celebration of recognition, remembrance, and community spirit – a vivid reminder of what can be achieved when we come together to support, celebrate, and uplift one another.
by [email protected] | Oct 20, 2025 | Britwell, Events, Food, Football, Health, Participation, Slough, Young people's voices, Youth Activities, Youth Work
We’re excited to invite young people aged 11–18 (or up to 25 with SEND) to join us for Big Up Britwell – a free afternoon of fun, food and sports at the Britwell Youth and Community Project.
Thanks to support from Sport England and Get Berkshire Active, this event is part of a wider commitment to help make Britwell a healthier, more active place to live. Alongside enjoying sports taster sessions, cooking up delicious Chicken Shawarma, and connecting with friends, young people will also have the chance to share their ideas and shape future activities in the community.
Your voice matters — come along, take part, and help guide how we invest in Britwell’s active future.
🗓 Tuesday 28th October, 1–5pm
📍 Britwell Youth and Community Project, Wentworth Avenue
💬 Booking is essential — Click here to book your place or call 01753 574 780.
by [email protected] | Sep 25, 2025 | Health, Jobs, Mental Health, Slough, Youth Work
Job Title: Boost Worker
Location: Slough (site-based, community settings, and travel across Slough)
Host Organisation: Together As One, working in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s CAMHS
Hours: Sessional – flexible, agreed based on your availability and young person’s needs
Contract Type: Casual contract with no set weekly hours
Salary: £11–£13 per hour (depending on experience)
Responsible to: Mental Health Youth Work Project Co-ordinator
DBS Requirement: Enhanced
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Together As One’s Boost project, working with young people in Slough who are under the care of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Boost provides additional emotional and practical support for young people with more complex mental health needs, either waiting for or currently accessing help from CAMHS. Working alongside clinical staff, the project offers a personalised, person-centred approach that combines youth work values with therapeutic input.
As a Boost Worker, you will deliver one-to-one well-being sessions, help young people set and achieve recovery-focused goals, and connect them to positive activities in the community. You will be part of a supportive and creative team where new ideas and evidence-based approaches are encouraged.
Important note: Applicants must be aged 18 or over to apply for this position.
Key Responsibilities
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Provide mental health and well-being support through one-to-one sessions, groups, and outreach.
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Help young people identify needs, set Goal Based Outcomes (GBOs), and develop personal support plans.
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Use youth work values and appropriate methods to support resilience, recovery, and well-being.
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Promote volunteering, peer mentoring, and youth activities to increase young people’s participation.
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Attend multi-agency meetings and advocate for young people where appropriate.
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Keep high-quality, coherent records in line with NHS and Together As One protocols.
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Communicate regularly with CAMHS colleagues to ensure a seamless pathway of support.
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Follow safeguarding, risk management, and data protection policies at all times.
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Manage a caseload, prioritising according to young people’s needs and risks.
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Participate in supervision, training, and reflective practice.
Person Specification
Essential
- Strong communication skills and experience of supporting young people’s emotional wellbeing.
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Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults.
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Ability to work collaboratively within a small team and with NHS colleagues.
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Commitment to using data and outcomes to inform practice.
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Flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
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Strong time management and organisational skills.
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Able to travel locally for the role.
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Commitment to professional development.
Desirable
- Qualification in Mental Health, Youth Work, Child & Youth Work, Social Services, or equivalent (NYA-validated or similar).
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Experience working with safeguarding and risk management.
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Experience of liaising with a wide range of agencies.
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Knowledge of mental health difficulties and wider determinants of health.
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Knowledge of child development, wellbeing, and mental health.
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Awareness of Gillick competence and consent issues.
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Knowledge of mental health legislation.
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Ability to reflect, adapt, and take appropriate action to manage risk.
What We Offer
At Together As One, we believe in looking after our staff as well as the young people we serve. As part of the Boost team, you can expect:
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The opportunity to be part of an innovative partnership between the NHS and the voluntary sector.
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Regular supervision and support from senior staff and clinical colleagues.
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Ongoing training and development to help you build your skills and confidence.
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A flexible role that fits around your other commitments.
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A supportive, creative team culture that values peer support, new ideas, and shared learning.
Our staff consistently tell us that TAO is a great place to work. From our most recent staff survey (2025):
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Connection to purpose: average rating of 4.8 out of 5 for feeling connected to our mission and values.
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Feeling valued: 80% said their work is always recognised and appreciated by managers.
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Inclusive culture: 90% said they always feel respected and included.
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Wellbeing support: rated 4.4 out of 5 by staff.
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Growth and development: 80% felt they had opportunities for professional growth at TAO.
When you join us, you’ll become part of a motivated, collaborative team that is deeply committed to supporting young people — and equally committed to ensuring your wellbeing and development.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Together As One is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The role is subject to a safer recruitment process, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and barred list check. Identity checks, reference checks (including from the most recent employer where the role involved working with children, where possible), and employment history checks will also be carried out before appointment.
Safeguarding is a core responsibility of this role.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Together As One is committed to creating an organisation where everyone feels they belong. We celebrate diversity and actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those from the global majority, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of mental health challenges.
We believe that diversity strengthens our team and enriches the work we do with young people.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to [email protected]
If you would like an informal chat about the role before applying, please contact Aida on 07922 422576
Closing date: Friday 10th October
Interviews: Friday 17th October
The Boost Team in 2024
by [email protected] | Sep 16, 2025 | Creativity, Events, Slough, Spoken Word
Slough, 13 September 2025 – Over 50 people braved heavy rain to attend Poetry in the Park in Salt Hill Park on Friday 12 September, proving that a little bad weather can’t dampen the town’s creative spirit.
The event, organised by Together As One, brought together 15 talented artists, including poets, rappers, and singers, who performed original work to an enthusiastic audience. Despite the drizzle, attendees gathered under umbrellas and gazebos to enjoy an evening of spoken word, music, laughter, and inspiration. Thankfully, the skies even rewarded their perseverance with a spectacular double rainbow, adding a magical touch to the evening.
The event was hosted by acclaimed poet Desree Gumbs-Carty, fresh from a Glastonbury appearance and with her latest book, Altar, recently shortlisted for a prestigious award. Desree’s warmth and charisma kept spirits high, even as the rain came down.
“Poetry In The Park was a powerful reminder of how vital community is right now, and what it means to truly listen to one another,” said Desree. “Even through the rain, a wealth of poets, musicians, and wordsmiths shared their incredible storytelling, sheltering us from the weather with their words – perfectly crowned by the double rainbow that seemingly appeared just for us.”
Many of the featured artists are regulars at The Curve Slough’s monthly Open Mic Night, providing another opportunity for the community to enjoy live poetry and performance. Details of upcoming open mic events can be found at:
curvevenue.uk/events/slough-open-mic.
Poetry in the Park was funded by Arts Council England as part of Slough’s Cultural Revival – a programme designed to deliver the town’s wider Cultural Strategy by making culture more inclusive, community-driven, and rooted in Slough’s identity and regeneration plans.
“Seeing so many people come out and support local talent, even in the rain, was incredible,” said Rob Deeks, CEO of Together As One. “Slough is a hotbed of creativity, and the range of performers reflected the rich diversity of our community. It was a night where people of all backgrounds came together to celebrate the power of words and music.”
Poetry in the Park is part of Together As One’s commitment to creating positive cultural experiences for people of all ages. The charity works year-round to bring the community together through arts, youth programmes, and social action initiatives.
For more information about community events or to get involved, visit sloughexplorer.org
by [email protected] | Sep 10, 2025 | Cohesion, Events, Intergenerational, Slough, Social Action, Volunteering, Youth Work
Together As One and Slough 50+ Forum have continued their successful partnership by bringing together more than 50 younger and older people for a special high tea event on Thursday 21st August.
Building on the success of their first intergenerational summer high tea last year, this year’s event was even bigger and more vibrant. Young volunteers from Together As One were trained by Chef Kevin Muhammad to prepare a tempting spread of sandwiches and scones, ensuring guests were well looked after.
The gathering took place at Together As One’s Church Street headquarters, where over 50 young people and members of the Slough 50+ Forum came together to share food, conversation, and laughter. The event was a clear demonstration of how simple, shared experiences can promote social cohesion and strengthen connections across generations.
Rob Deeks, CEO of Together As One, said:
“We love our partnership with Slough 50+ Forum. We were overjoyed to see the generations mixing, connecting, and having fun together. It’s what our work is all about.”
Marcia Wright, Chair of Slough’s 50+ Forum, added:
“Slough 50plus Forum members and friends value their meetings with the interesting and vibrant young people representing Together as One. Together everyone enjoyed a freshly prepared afternoon tea while chatting to each other on all the topics of interest to all ages. 50plus Forum members are eagerly looking forward to the next join meeting to be held in December. Thank you to Together As One for making it an unforgettable afternoon.”
This collaborative event highlights the power of bringing different generations together, building stronger connections and promoting social cohesion across the community of Slough.
