Adviza is a registered charity that inspires and supports young people and adults to progress in learning and work. We aim to raise people’s aspirations, motivate them to achieve their full potential and support them when they have to make key decisions about their future. The work we do can help transform lives and we never forget it.

The unprecedented 2020 global pandemic and its fallout have resulted in significant demand for Adviza’s insight, expertise and support services. Our team is more committed than ever to adapt, learn and support our clients to the very best of our ability during these challenging times. We are proud to lead our regions in education and career support for all.

What we do

Our clients can be any individual or group of people needing professional, impartial careers information, advice and guidance - or intensive support - to help them achieve their full potential.

• We provide intensive support programmes to help people overcome barriers to progression in learning and work, funded through public bodies, local authorities and other agencies
• We deliver services for unemployed young people in Berkshire, funded by local authorities
• We deliver the National Careers Service contract in the South West and Oxfordshire Region, providing free, impartial careers advice to adults
• We work in partnership with schools and colleges providing careers information, advice and guidance for pupils
• We produce the school careers resources eCLIPS and Careers Planet
• We offer paid-for services for individuals including careers guidance sessions and Morrisby assessments, and have a bursary scheme so those who are eligible can get these free of charge.

Our mission

Everyone in Adviza works to make a positive difference for all young people and adults so that they have the best possible chance to progress successfully in learning and work.

Our vision

Our vision is for all young people and adults to make better decisions that help them to progress in learning and work and achieve their full potential.

Our values

At Adviza we:

• Are passionate about making a difference for all young people and adults and care about their futures
• Engage with young people and adults to understand their needs and support them to achieve their goals
• Champion equality, diversity, accessibility and simplicity
• Expect high levels of energy and commitment from all our staff. In return we trust them and invest in their development
• Treat everyone with respect and dignity (young people and adults, partners and colleagues)
• Have the courage to innovate and learn from our experience
• Work creatively and flexibly with partners to:
  • develop and deliver excellent, integrated services
  • challenge bureaucracy and complacency
  • break down barriers to effective service delivery and customer progress
• Invest our resources wisely and according to need
• “It is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all” – that is how we will become a learning organisation.

Our history

Adviza was established in 2001 as Connexions Berkshire, delivering careers guidance as part of a national Connexions service under direct contract from central government. In 2006 the Connexions budget was devolved to local authorities, and in 2008 we successfully bid for the Connexions contracts for Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. That same year the renamed Connexions Thames Valley became a registered charity (1132201). In July 2012 the charity's name was changed to Adviza in a rebranding exercise.