Shaping Partners inspire Care Experienced Young People

The Shaping Portsmouth Choose Employability programme is supporting Portsmouth City Council with their Employability Academy. Hosted by the Portsmouth City Council Careers and Youth Hub, the Employability Academy aims to help Care Experienced Young People take the next step towards work and education. This 6-week programme focused on understanding self-awareness and personal strengths, practical career […]

Episode 59: Bailey’s Buses

Dave Humphries speaks to Steve Bailey, Managing Director of Bailey’s Buses, about how the family business was founded, the challenges they’ve faced as they’ve adapted to the changing cruise industry to grow into their role in the city, their plans for the future, working with the Portsmouth Ambassadors for the Cruise Meet & Greets, and celebrating their 25th anniversary.

Veterans Lead attends Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps Pass Out Parade

On a special day for the Royal Marines family, Joe Standen, Shaping Portsmouth’s Armed Forces Community programme Veterans Lead, Royal Marines Veteran and Former Royal Marines Cadet was honoured to attend the pass out parade of 251 Company, Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC) Portsmouth. Invited as a guest, Joe had the privilege of witnessing […]

Episode 61: Motiv8

Dave Humphries speaks to Joe Weston-McDowell about his journey to settling in Portsmouth and his previous work at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, his current role at Motiv8, and the work Motiv8 is doing to create life chances for young people in Portsmouth.

Partners gather for our exclusive networking event

Earlier this month, our Partners Only Networking Event at The Portsmouth Grammar School was a night to remember. We celebrated our ever-growing partner network and reflected on how strong and supportive our community truly is. A key highlight of the evening was announcing that we have generated £500,000 in social value since January 2025; a […]

Episode 62: Armed Forces Community – Tim Jones

Andy Moss, Co-Lead of our Armed Forces Community programme, talks to Tim Jones, who leads the AFC programme Service Leavers pillar, about his career in the military, his transition into comms work in the civilian world, and his work with service leavers.

Episode 63: Employability Academy

Amy Cusack chats with Lauren Bumstead and Kev Sadler from Portsmouth City Council about their roles in the Careers & Progression team, supporting Care Experienced young people and NEETs, launching Employability Academy in partnership with Shaping Portsmouth, and the positive impact it had on those who attended.

Announcing our new Member: First Steps First Aid

The Shaping Team are pleased to welcome First Steps First Aid as our newest Member. First Steps First Aid Ltd delivers accredited and engaging Paramedic-led first aid and compliance training across the south coast, and is also leading our Workplace Health & Wellbeing programme’s Business First Aid Training sessions. Jack Boaden, Co-Founder of First Steps […]

Episode 64: Spinnaker Tower’s 20th Anniversary

As it was the Spinnaker Tower’s anniversary this weekend, CEO Dave Humphries sat down with General Manager Richard Hale to talk about the celebrations, the logistics of running the tower, abseiling, becoming an icon of the city, and plans for what comes next.

Over £690K Leveraged for Portsmouth’s Creative Sector through UKSPF Match Fund

Portsmouth’s creative sector continues to thrive as Portsmouth Creates, in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, announces the outcomes of its latest UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) match funding initiative. In the 2024/25 financial year, £57,029 was distributed to 20 creative small and medium-sized enterprises and organisations, unlocking an impressive £718,193 in additional investment from national […]