ConnectedXP · the portalName: You · Date: today
A collectiveTwo booksTwo frameworksOne community

The lessons nobody teaches.

welcome to the portal ✓

ConnectedXP is the home of the collective — LightsOnXP and AlternativeXP — plus two books, two frameworks (PAUSE and STAND), free resources for teachers, lived-experience sessions for young people, and a community that's built to feel schooly on purpose.

Connect Before You Correct and I Stand Connected on a pile of books in a bookshop
~100Kyoung people
190+schools
600+talks delivered
2frameworks. one idea.
Lesson 01 — Our collective/ under the ConnectedXP roof /

Our collective

One portal. Four vehicles underneath it.

different rooms, same mission — you're not the only one.

Vehicle 01
LightsOnXP logo

LightsOnXP

Turning lived experience into lasting change.

LightsOnXP partners with organisations to deliver impactful talks, training, consultancy and digital learning that improve mental health, wellbeing and human connection. Every project is built around authentic lived experience to create conversations that genuinely change lives.

lightsonxp.com
Vehicle 02
NextGenXP logo

NextGenXP

The charity arm — from disengaged to standing on their own two feet.

NextGenXP is built for young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming it, aged 16 to 24 — the ones who've fallen through the gap in mainstream, the ones the system has stopped reaching. We get them into work or education by building them up first, through life skills, a therapeutic approach, lived experience and the power of their own stories. Because this work is delivered by people who've lived it, not just studied it, connection always comes before change. Sitting alongside LightsOnXP and AlternativeXP, NextGenXP closes the loop — funding and delivering the pathways that take a young person from disengaged to standing on their own two feet.

nextgenxp.org
Vehicle 03
AlternativeXP logo

AlternativeXP

Creating pathways for young people who need a different route.

AlternativeXP develops innovative education and alternative provision that supports young people through lived experience, practical life skills and trusted relationships. We focus on building confidence, belonging and brighter futures for those at risk of being left behind.

alternativexp.com
Vehicle 04
VoicesOfXP logo

VoicesOfXP

Real stories. Real people. Real impact.

VoicesOfXP is a growing community of people with lived experience who use their stories to educate, inspire and support others. Through films, talks, resources and campaigns, we amplify voices that are often unheard and help people realise they're not the only one.

connectedxp sits above them — one portal, one community, one idea.

Lesson 02 — The frameworkstwo words · ten moves

The frameworks

Every session, resource and post lives inside one of these two.

For the adults

P · A · U · S · E

Walk through PAUSE →
Step 1PPause.A second between the behaviour and the response.
Step 2AAcknowledge.See the kid, not just the behaviour.
Step 3UUnderstand.What's actually going on underneath.
Step 4SSteady.Hold the boundary. Calm voice. No audience.
Step 5EEngage.What might land better next time.

For young people

S · T · A · N · D

Meet I Stand Connected →
Move 1SSee yourself.Notice what's actually going on in you.
Move 2TTell the truth.To yourself first. Then to someone safe.
Move 3AAsk for help.The bravest move, not the weakest.
Move 4NNotice others.Somebody near you is carrying it too.
Move 5DDo hard things.Build who you're going to become.
Lesson 03 — The communitymembers' roomComing Soon

Inside ConnectedXP

A portal built for teachers and young people.

Two hubs. One for the staff room, one for the young person. Everything mapped to PAUSE or STAND, told by people from different backgrounds, cultures and lived experience.

  • Free teacher resources

    Downloadable, classroom-ready.

  • Live sessions for kids

    Join online, hear real stories.

  • Lived-experience videos

    Voices you don't usually get to hear.

  • Speaker bookings

    Bring Oly (and the network) into the room.

  • CPD, when you need it

    Paid tier. Funds the free stuff.

  • I Stand Connected groups

    Peer groups in every school.

The mission

I stand connected groups in every school in the country.

teachers talking about PAUSE. kids using STAND.

Free at the point of use, funded by CPD and partners. A recognised resource for schools, everywhere.

this is the plan ✓

Lesson 04 — Field notes/ photos · pinned to the wall /

From the road

Classrooms, stages, conferences.

snapshots from the work →
striving for excellence — staff room, real wall
striving for excellence — staff room, real wall
in the classroom, mid-flow
in the classroom, mid-flow
the face exercise — feelings on the page
the face exercise — feelings on the page
LOOP — Leeds Playhouse, packed house
LOOP — Leeds Playhouse, packed house
panel night, mic in hand
panel night, mic in hand
Pizza Pilgrims with the lads — celebration day
Pizza Pilgrims with the lads — celebration day
on air — telling it straight
on air — telling it straight
studio laughs between takes
studio laughs between takes
LOOP crew, after the show
LOOP crew, after the show
certificates of completion — earned, not given
certificates of completion — earned, not given
Lesson 05 — Marked by the room/ feedback · in their own words /

What they said

Notes from teachers, leaders & students.

swipe through →
"
As always, Oly went above and beyond, delivering not one but three emotional and thought-provoking performances to over 800 students and staff. The result was remarkable — a ripple effect that saw so many young people reaching out, opening up, and finding the courage to share their own stories and struggles with Oly and trusted college staff.

Rebecca Riley

Safeguard Lead, Luminate

"
The day was really inspirational and truly enlightening for all of our staff and students. Some of our students told staff after the talks that they were the best they have ever heard.

Katherine

Deputy Head, The Castle School

"
So impactful and inspiring. The connection Oly made with our students was incredible, a truly transformational talk.

Laura

Teacher, Stratford Upon Avon

"
What a powerful impact Oly Newton made! His presentation was insightful, engaging and heart-warmingly candid from his own experiences.

Nicola

Safeguard Lead, Garforth Academy

"
I've never seen our students so engaged in a talk before. His openness created a safe space for them to reflect on their own feelings!

J Goldsmith

Vice Principal, Avonbourne

"
You spoke at my school today and I just want to say how much of an inspiration you truly are. You have touched every single one of us — thank you.

Year 9 Student

Ruth Gorse Academy

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