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Young people in
Liverpool, Knowsley and the Wirral go for DofE Gold
SCOTTISHPOWER Foundation
and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) have announced a continued
partnership to enable more young people (aged 14 to 24) in Liverpool,
Knowsley and the Wirral to start their DofE journey and benefit from
the unique employability, social and personal development
opportunities it brings.
Investment from ScottishPower Foundation will be used to grow DofE
provision in these areas throughout the year, supporting more local
schools, youth groups, charities and other organisations to become
DofE centres.
By extending the reach of the DofE more young people's lives will be
transformed. The DofE is the world's leading achievement award,
widely recognised as having a long-term positive impact on young
people's life chances. By gaining confidence, building new skills,
and broadening their experiences both in their community and away
from home, young people are better prepared for work and life. The DofE also has a significant effect on local communities, through the
volunteering activities which the programme encourages.
Pupils at Wallasey School in Moreton, the Wirral, are already
reaping the benefits. One of the first schools that ScottishPower
Foundation supported when the partnership began in 2010, three
pupils recently achieved their DofE Gold Awards: Hollie-Jo Dowdall,
Amy Price and Emily Smith. Hollie-Jo and Amy attended a Gold Award
Presentation at St. James's Palace, London, earlier this month where
they were presented with their Awards by comedian Bill Bailey and
met His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. Head Teacher Amanda Cawood commented:-
"To see the progression of each young
person as they undertook their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards has
been a pleasure to watch. The sense of achievement in the school
reflects the hard work and dedication our young people have shown
towards The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Fulfilling the award
develops our young people into capable, active and well rounded
young adults and they should be proud of their achievements. We
certainly are."
Hollie-Jo Dowdall added:- "I undertook the Duke of Edinburgh
Gold Award as part of building my CV. In the process of completing
the award I have gained so much more. I have gained self-confidence
and leadership skills along the way. I have developed my
communication skills as a team player and as a leader. I have
discovered a passion for orienteering in new and difficult
locations. I would like to thank my team leader/supervisor Mr Hoppins and his team for all their dedication and support.
I now feel that I can attempt anything and with this in mind have
looked at new careers in fields such as engineering which I know
without this new self-confidence I would never have looked at. I am
ready for more challenges and my life has now been made richer and
fuller for completing the Award. I am not saying it was easy, but it
was very rewarding."
ScottishPower has been working in partnership with the DofE since
2010, with the support of parent company the Iberdrola Foundation.
The new ScottishPower Foundation, launched in May, 2013, has pledged
to continue this support in 2014. Countering cuts to youth services
in the North West, the partnership has helped almost 10,000 young
people in the region start their DofE journey, many from
disadvantaged backgrounds, and seen around 5,000 achieve an Award.
In 2014 the ambition is for 2,500 more young people to take part in
the DofE in Liverpool, Knowsley and the Wirral and 1,850 to receive
an Award.
Elaine Bowker, Trustee, ScottishPower Foundation; Principal and
Chief Executive, Liverpool Community College, said:- "It is
fantastic to see that as a result of our partnership not only are
hundreds of young people on Merseyside getting the opportunity to
achieve their DofE, but we can celebrate the first three young
people from one of our partner schools receiving their Gold Awards.
The support given to the DofE by ScottishPower Foundation reinforces
our commitment to the community, and we are extremely pleased to see
our partnership benefitting so many."
Robbie Johnston, DofE Regional Director, North West, said:-
"Our ambition is for every young person to have the opportunity to
undertake their DofE irrespective of background or circumstance. As
a charity we're hugely grateful for the support from ScottishPower
Foundation to help us achieve this and look forward to extending the
benefits to more individuals and communities in the North West."
There are currently over 300,000 young people taking part in a DofE
programme across the UK through a variety of centres including
state, independent and special schools, prisons, Young Offender
Institutions, businesses and youth groups. For further information
on the DofE please visit:-
DofE.org.
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WIRRAL HOTEL
MARK MACMILLAN PARTNERSHIP AT VIP BIRTHDAY EVENT
STAFF at a Bromborough
Italian restaurant and inn have celebrated their first birthday in
style at a VIP afternoon reception with the Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress of Wirral. Guest of honour Councillor David Mitchell cut
the specially made birthday cake during the event to mark the
landmark anniversary at Pesto at the Dibbinsdale Inn.
The famous Thwaites shire horses were also in attendance to welcome
VIPs, including local businesses and residents, to the open
afternoon where guests enjoyed a tour of the hotel and restaurant on
Dibbinsdale Road. Hotel manager of Pesto at the Dibbinsdale
Inn Catherine Mealor comments:- "Time has flown since our
refurbishment of the old Dibbinsdale Inn over a year ago and we're
delighted to get such huge support for our first anniversary."
The Italian restaurant group also announced Macmillan Cancer Support
as its charity partner across all seven restaurants at the event,
with Fundraising Manager Lisa Wild talking to guests about how Pesto
hopes to raise much-needed funds for their very worthy cause.
Co-owner of Pesto Restaurants Sara Edwards adds:- "We have
historically always supported Macmillan Cancer Support locally at
our restaurants, but this partnership is an exciting opportunity to
unite our employees and customers and help take our fundraising to
the next level. We're looking forward to working together on a
variety of national fundraising activities and events to help
Macmillan provide practical, medical, emotional and financial
support to people affected by cancer and their families."
This event comes just weeks after the hotel was awarded 4 Gold star
accreditation from the AA for the second year running following a
mystery inspection at the start of the year.
The report, which evaluated the
dining offering as well as the accommodation standards of the twelve
room inn, also saw the restaurant win a special Dinner award which
highlighted the restaurant as offering a "...very special,
high quality dinner that puts an emphasis on using freshly prepared
local ingredients".
The inn and restaurant on Dibbinsdale Road has already proved
popular with local residents after bringing Pesto's trademark 'piattini'
culinary style to the Wirral, a new Italian dining experience where
diners are able to enjoy an authentic selection of Italian dishes
during one meal. The company currently has 7 restaurants
nationwide including venues in Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow
and Cheshire and will be opening its first West Midlands restaurant
in Sutton Coldfield in late March. Pesto is situated
at:- Dibbinsdale Road, Bromborough CH63 0HJ or for restaurant/hotel
reservations call:- 0151 334 9818. For more information visit:-
pestorestaurants.co.uk.
Energy bills get
lighter
THOUSANDS of Liverpool
houses are being given energy saving light bulbs in a scheme which
is also providing work for young people.
A strand of the work carried out by the Poverty Action Group, set up
by the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, looked at supporting low
income households by helping them reduce their electricity bills.
Domestic lighting accounts for about 15% of energy use in a typical
home and this can be reduced by using low wattage lights.
About 3,000 household are being supplied with low energy light, an
average home receiving eight to10 lightbulbs.
12 young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs)
have been employed on a scheme which will give them work experience
and training.
As well as fitting bulbs they have also provided emergency heating
for vulnerable people, installing energy monitoring devices and
undertaking thermal imaging of properties. Residents have also been
advised on how they can improve the energy efficiency of their
homes. Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for transport and climate
change, said:- "This is a scheme which will help residents,
young people and the environment.
Many householders are struggling with their energy bills and using
low wattage light bulbs will help to cut costs; as well as being environmentally-friendly.
The traineeships will also give the young people experience and
training which will stand them in good stead for finding permanent
work, especially in the green economy which is a growth area in the
local economy." |
