March 29, 2019
As headline sponsors of the Be the Change programme, we were proud to attend an awards ceremony last week, to celebrate the achievements of 100 students from Crawley and Gatwick schools.
Over the past six months, a group of our business guide volunteers have been working with year 9 students to help develop their life skills, improve their confidence and introduce them to the world of work through a series of conferences, one-to-one mentoring sessions and a workplace visit.
The ceremony was the finale of the Be the Change programme, and the students were congratulated and awarded with certificates by the volunteer business guides alongside the Be the Change team. It was also an opportunity for the students to reflect on the past six months. Many of the young people stood in front of the audience and revealed their feelings about moving forward with the skills they have learnt.
Andy James, our Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We feel incredibly privileged to have been part of this programme, and our team of business guide volunteers have enjoyed working alongside the students. Whilst it’s sad it’s come to an end, it’s just the start for the young people involved in the project. We hope we’ve equipped them with the skills they need to succeed, and we’re excited to see them progress and fulfil their potential.”
Graham Moore, Co-founder of the Be the Change programme, said: “It has been an incredible journey, not just for these amazing young people, but for everyone who has been involved – the teachers, the business volunteers and ourselves. Over the last few months we’ve been inspired by the way in which the students have engaged with us and their peers and as a result, have become happier, more confident in their abilities, and more excited about their futures.”
Jo Ashforth, Head of Year 9 at Holy Trinity School, said: “I can’t thank you all enough. I think this programme has been really valuable and made students re-think behaviours in school and at home. It’s so nice they have had this investment.”
As a large employer, we place great importance on giving back to the communities where we work, and we feel privileged to have been part of an initiative so aligned with our mission of empowering people to get on with what matters.
We wish all the students the best of luck for the future.
Over the past six months, a group of our business guide volunteers have been working with year 9 students to help develop their life skills, improve their confidence and introduce them to the world of work through a series of conferences, one-to-one mentoring sessions and a workplace visit.
The ceremony was the finale of the Be the Change programme, and the students were congratulated and awarded with certificates by the volunteer business guides alongside the Be the Change team. It was also an opportunity for the students to reflect on the past six months. Many of the young people stood in front of the audience and revealed their feelings about moving forward with the skills they have learnt.
Andy James, our Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We feel incredibly privileged to have been part of this programme, and our team of business guide volunteers have enjoyed working alongside the students. Whilst it’s sad it’s come to an end, it’s just the start for the young people involved in the project. We hope we’ve equipped them with the skills they need to succeed, and we’re excited to see them progress and fulfil their potential.”
Graham Moore, Co-founder of the Be the Change programme, said: “It has been an incredible journey, not just for these amazing young people, but for everyone who has been involved – the teachers, the business volunteers and ourselves. Over the last few months we’ve been inspired by the way in which the students have engaged with us and their peers and as a result, have become happier, more confident in their abilities, and more excited about their futures.”
Jo Ashforth, Head of Year 9 at Holy Trinity School, said: “I can’t thank you all enough. I think this programme has been really valuable and made students re-think behaviours in school and at home. It’s so nice they have had this investment.”
As a large employer, we place great importance on giving back to the communities where we work, and we feel privileged to have been part of an initiative so aligned with our mission of empowering people to get on with what matters.
We wish all the students the best of luck for the future.