Fix Up Academy

03/09/2025

ADDICTION – MORAL FAILING OR MEDICAL BLIGHT?
A fascinating piece in a science journal has asked us all to rewrite the narrative and realise, “addiction is not a moral failing. It is a complex brain disease, and understanding it as such is crucial to saving lives.” https://lnkd.in/ejqh2SXY
Dr Roger Starner Jones also argues that dependency is an individual situation and cannot be solved by a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
He also believes that stigmatising those living with addiction can have devastating effects.
Fix-Up knows that professional counselling has to be the opening gambit in solving addiction.
Can you help us? If so, drop us a line and,


https://www.bbntimes.com/science/what-most-people-get-wrong-about-addiction

Addiction isn’t a moral failure—it’s a disease. Learn how outdated beliefs delay care and how Dr. Roger Starner Jones, Jr. is redefining treatment with compassion.

03/09/2025

EVERY NINETY MINUTES, SOMEONE FALLS FOUL
During the time it takes to play a football match, someone in the UK will take their own life.
That is the stark statistic that the Samaritans are reminding us of, during the run-up to World Su***de Prevention Day (10 September).
But the campaign also states that dark thoughts can be interrupted, and difficult lives turned around – see https://lnkd.in/dXKzSSi
One of the main motivators behind us setting-up the Fix-Up Academy was to cut the alarming numbers of male su***des. This we hope to do via , positive activities and purpose.
In the run-up to the drive, we will be offering viewpoints, advice and a challenge to you all to join with us in a bid to save lives.
This September,

https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/world-su***de-prevention-day/

Every year, on 10 September, organisations around the world get together to raise awareness about su***de prevention.

02/09/2025

STEPPING UP THE FIGHT AGAINST MARCHING POWDER
Referrals for use are falling dramatically but co***ne is the new bane for addiction charities.
Experts claim the drug’s popularity “can be attributed to its addictive properties, social perceptions, and the psychological effects it produces, making it appealing in various social contexts.”
Its affordability has also ensured it is increasingly dangerous.
Counselling addicts comes down to finding root causes, whether they be or even genetic issues.
Fix-up needs support from professionals to do that, and are calling on experts in the field to join with us, so that we can truly turn some lives around.
Drop us a line if you can help and

25/08/2025

💙 “From surviving to thriving — now helping others do the same.”

I am Cheryl Hogan, lifelong entrepreneur and Director of Fix Up Academy CIC. From the age of 16, I’ve built businesses with one mission at heart: to create opportunity where others see barriers. Growing up in a minority family in a poor area, I knew I wanted different for myself, my family, and my community. That drive shaped me into a businesswoman committed to empowering others.

Through Fix Up Academy CIC, I lead a social enterprise that provides second chances through vocational training, mentoring, and career pathways. We focus on individuals often excluded from traditional education — from ex-offenders and young people at risk to those facing unemployment or discrimination. By reinvesting 80% of our surplus back into community programmes, we create a sustainable cycle of skills, confidence, and opportunity.

Beyond Fix Up, I am also the Founder of Fleek Aesthetics Academy in Manchester — a leading accredited aesthetics training provider — and Balsan & Capel, a growing menswear brand. Across every venture, my vision remains the same: to see others thrive, to champion second chances, and to build futures that break cycles of poverty and exclusion. I’m passionate about networking, collaboration, and connecting with people who share the belief that business can be a force for real change.

25/08/2025

💙 “From surviving to thriving — now helping others do the same.”

I am Cheryl Hogan, lifelong entrepreneur and Director of Fix Up Academy CIC. From the age of 16, I’ve built businesses with one mission at heart: to create opportunity where others see barriers. Growing up in a minority family in a poor area, I knew I wanted different for myself, my family, and my community. That drive shaped me into a businesswoman committed to empowering others.

Through Fix Up Academy CIC, I lead a social enterprise that provides second chances through vocational training, mentoring, and career pathways. We focus on individuals often excluded from traditional education — from ex-offenders and young people at risk to those facing unemployment or discrimination. By reinvesting 80% of our surplus back into community programmes, we create a sustainable cycle of skills, confidence, and opportunity.

Beyond Fix Up, I am also the Founder of Fleek Aesthetics Academy in Manchester — a leading accredited aesthetics training provider — and Balsan & Capel, a growing menswear brand. Across every venture, my vision remains the same: to see others thrive, to champion second chances, and to build futures that break cycles of poverty and exclusion. I’m passionate about networking, collaboration, and connecting with people who share the belief that business can be a force for real change.

22/08/2025

🐾 Doggie Day – The Importance of Animal Care Careers 🐾

Did you know there’s an international day of appreciation for our four-legged canine friends coming up? 🐶💛 👉 Read more here

For many of Fix-Up’s young people, animal care can be a life-changing career path. Having experienced trauma themselves, they truly understand how vital compassion is.

From dog handlers 🦮 to vets 🩺, farm workers 🚜 to horse trainers 🐎 – the opportunities are out there. But getting started on that first step is often the hardest part.

That’s why we’re reaching out to:
✅ Animal rescue centres
✅ Environmental projects
✅ Dog sitting & pet care businesses

👉 Could you offer a work placement to help a young person progress into a compassionate career?

📩 Get in touch with us today if you can help!

21/08/2025

HIS SUCCESS DOES NOT DEFINE YOU – It is wonderful to see all of those A star
hashtag
students enjoying their exam success!
But for some young people – including those who have studied hard – who haven’t made the grade, today may seem a hopeless one.
Here at Fix-Up we believe in
hashtag
as well as academic education. Earning while you are learning makes very good sense. Sadly, our system is skewed towards exam results alone – and they do not define you.
If today has been a struggle, please contact us.
And if you are a business who can help young people with a work placement, some careers guidance, maybe even mentoring, we especially want to hear from you!
hashtag

11/08/2025

A NEW MEANING TO THE PHRASE – BEHIND BARS!
HMP has opened up a pub on its premises called (you’ve guessed it) THE LOCK INN!
And we’ll raise a glass to it, because it trains inmates in , and customer service – see  https://lnkd.in/epy2fsTd
The initiative is backed by ’sPLC
Having a manufacturer and potential employer at its’ HEAD is clearly a bonus, too.
Do you run a business that will help prison leavers to get back on track again?
Please let us know and

11/08/2025

A NEW MEANING TO THE PHRASE – BEHIND BARS!
HMP has opened up a pub on its premises called (you’ve guessed it) THE LOCK INN!
And we’ll raise a glass to it, because it trains inmates in , and customer service – see https://lnkd.in/epy2fsTd
The initiative is backed by 'sPLC
Having a manufacturer and potential employer at its’ HEAD is clearly a bonus, too.
Do you run a business that will help prison leavers to get back on track again?
Please let us know and

10/08/2025

Funding to the tune of £88 million will be made available by government to help music, arts and employability projects. We’re working with a noted rapper – so it’s music to our ears!

Keir Starmer has announced an expansion of youth services in the UK, encouraging them to get involved in music, sport and more.

09/08/2025

98.9% capacity: Prisons across England and Wales are nearly full, with fewer than 1,000 cells available nationwide.  
• Safety risks escalate: Overcrowded jails lead to a 20% higher likelihood of prisoner violence, making them far from safe spaces. 
• System nearly collapsed: Recent analysis shows the UK prison system nearly hit breaking point multiple times between 2023 and 2024, triggering emergency early releases.

Emergency measures bailed out jails at last minute as No 10 refused to cut prisoner numbers until ‘cliff edge’ reached, former watchdog reports

06/08/2025

LET’S UNLOCK SOME FUNDING AND TURN IT INTO CHANGE
Today we are visiting a workshop with the keynote speaker being… the Key Fund!
A social investment organisation, they award grants and loans to good causes.
But ours’ is not a begging mission. We are attending because we want to find a sustainable income so that we can help men, and prison leavers begin to turn their lives around.
We are very happy to learn from any of you out there – especially bid writers! – about funding streams and how best to access them.
In turn, we will share what we have learned and work in partnership with those with similar goals.
More on the workshop, shortly!