News

YOUth Inspire

The Pensions Trust for Charities and Voluntary Organisations have been doing some fantastic work recently to support unemployed people, particularly individuals who need more support due to the current economic climate.

YOUth Inspire is an award winning educational initiative targeted at the youth of today with programmes rooted in the notion of education via engagement, interest and interaction. The project targets those who are ready to enter employment and prevents them from becoming long-term unemployed.

Young people are referred by their Connexions or Jobcentre Plus adviser and undertake an eight week programme which is individually tailored to address any gaps in employability skills and work experience.

It is hoped the initiative will engage and support young people to access employment opportunities across the city by:

• improving their skills levels
• breaking down any imagined or real barriers they may have related to work
• developing their self motivation and confidence
• encourage a routine of learning and self-development
• provide them with a positive work experience which will encourage them to sustain employment
• enable and support them to progress into an apprenticeship, employment or further training

Joanne Coy from the Pensions Trust has built on the support the organisation is providing to employability projects by hosting a workplace visit for a small group of unemployed young people who are being supported by the YOUth Inspire programme.

The session looked at the different types of jobs that are available, Joanne's role, HR/recruitment process, how jobs are advertised, the application process and what they expect from someone during their interview.

YOUth Inspire in Leeds is managed by Learning Partnerships, an established Leeds-based education charity that works with children, young people and their families in some of the most deprived areas of the city.

Please contact Shelley Riley, shelley.riley@leedsahead.org.uk, if you are interested in supporting this or a similar initiative.

Christmas Good Will from Premier Farnell

A big thanks to Premier Farnell staff who have collected and donated over 60 selection boxes for local charity Gipton Together.

Gipton Together works with young people from around Gipton and Harehills, areas with scant opportunities for young people where 50% of the area wards are within the worst 5% nationally.

They run projects to encourage young people to raise their aspirations and develop self esteem and confidence through sport, performing arts and theatrical programmes.

The selection boxes will be handed out to the young people at their annual Christmas event.

Free Accountancy and Legal Workshop

Leeds Ahead are hosting a free Accountancy and Legal Workshop session for third sector/community groups to better understand their basic financial and legal obligations. 

The session is taking place on Friday 2 December from 2-4pm. An expert from a leading accountancy firm will be talking about the basic accountancy practices an organisation should have in place and an expert from a leading law fim will be discussing the legal statutory requirements of community and voluntary organisations.

I do hope you are able to join us for what should be a very informative and interesting session.

Please email shelley.riley@leedsahead.org.uk to reserve your place.

A Bird in Hand

If you went to Lotherton Bird Garden last Tuesday you would have caught sight of more than the usual parrots, flamingos and emus.

Premier Farnell provided over 50 volunteers to help improve the site over the course of a day. Whilst there is a small, dedicated team of staff at the Bird Garden, their main priorities are looking after the animals and general maintenance which means those smaller jobs that can really make a difference are often left undone. The volunteers split into smaller teams and got stuck in to clear enclosures, painting aviaries, digging ponds, clearing banks and painting fences.

This was the first time that a team of corporate volunteers have supported Lotherton Hall and the manager Tim Needham was so impressed with the work done by the volunteers that he is already planning the next team activity day.

Premier Farnell, a leading, high service, multi-channel distribution group, are sponsoring the new Make the Grade programme at Swallow Hill Community College in West Leeds. They will also be participating in activities at the school along with anchor business Logistik Group. As sponsors of Leeds Ahead, volunteers from Premier Farnell also take part in other activities such as literacy mentoring and team activity days.

Education and Enterprise Week

Last week law firms from across the city took part in activities in schools to help raise the aspirations and performance of children. More than 170 volunteers from 17 firms took part.

The volunteers visited 11 schools focusing on the benefits of working life and value of education, demonstrating how the skills learned at school will benefit them in the workplace.

Rosemary Edwards, director of Leeds Legal and partner at Shulmans, said: “Education and Enterprise Week is now in its fifth year and it remains a great way for businesses to give back to the community.

“It is fantastic to be a part of a project which helps position young people strongly to be employable in the future and the support from the law firms has been phenomenal this year.

Stephanie Burras, chief executive of Leeds Ahead, added: “Once again, we’re delighted to be playing the pivotal role. With the continued support of key law firms in Leeds, we know we can drive up the aspirations and ambitions of young people.

"Leeds Legal Education and Enterprise Week is an ideal opportunity to encourage primary school pupils from some of the most deprived areas to aim high as they continue their education.”

The organisations supporting Leeds Legal Education and Enterprise week this year were DWF, Pinsent Masons, Shulmans, Eversheds, DLA Piper, Clarion, Lupton Fawcett, Irwin Mitchell, Mills and Reeve, Addleshaw Goddard, Levi, Blacks, Heslop and Platt, Pace, Gordons, Stuarts and Leeds City Council.