Corridor Manchester: News

Head Teacher Visit

A unique programme of work with a local school has attracted the attention of schools in Spain. The University of Manchester’s Human Resources Directorate is working with students at Manchester Academy to support them in developing skills which will equip them for the world of work. The project has been developed as a part of the University’s commitment to Corridor Manchester. A group of 10 head teachers from the Basque region of Spain came to Manchester having heard about the project in order to find out more.

Fiona Coll HR Manager for the University’s Faculty of Life Sciences who is leading the project said ’ we are working with year 10 and 11 students who may choose not to go on to further education. Through group work and one to one mentoring we will help them to develop new skills and insights. The key will be to give these young people access to professionals whom they would not otherwise come into contact with’. Fiona added ’ the colleagues from Spain were really interested in our work with these young people and our discussions were not impeded by the necessity to translate everything into three languages, Basque, Spanish and English!’

The project has been running for one year and includes three streams of activity including the University’s Estate’s and Catering and Hospitality Directorates. Work will begin with the next cohort of students in September.

Steve Grant, the University’s Assistant Director of HR who is seconded to Corridor Manchester said ‘the University of Manchester, along with the other Corridor partners, is committed to contributing to raising skill levels in our neighbouring communities. It is clear that youth unemployment is on the increase particularly in areas such as Ardwick and Moss Side and through this intervention we will give the young people a head start when they enter the employment market.’ Steve added ’ in Spain youth unemployment is circa 39% and 20% in the general population. The head teachers were looking for ideas to help those of their students who will soon be looking for work and said that they were going to contact large employers on their return home’

Corridor Manchester organise a special reception for Manchester’s Street World Cup Team.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mark Hackett hosted a special reception on 14 June for the 30 young people from the M13 Youth Project who attended the recent Street Child World Cup in Durban.

The young people were part of the UK team which saw young people from eight countries join together to find their voices through the global language of the game they love. The team worked with specialist coaches to express themselves on the football field and with artists to help them tell their stories in new and creative ways.

The Lord Mayor was joined by Jackie Potter, chief executive of Corridor Manchester and Councillors Roy Walters and Alistair Cox to hear all about the young peoples’ experience in Durban which included a presentation of many pictures taken on the trip.

The Lord Mayor then presented every person who had taken part in the Street Child World Cup with a certificate of commendation and a lapel badge as recognition for what they had achieved.

The UK did themselves very proud reaching the semi-finals only to be knocked out by the tournament winners India.

Corridor Manchester sponsors Street Child World Cup – UK Team

A group of young people from Manchester have been chosen to represent the UK at the Street Child World Cup in Durban South Africa later this month. Corridor Manchester are sponsors of the team. As a part of our support Corridor Manchester has provided each team member and the coaches with a digital camera so that they can record their experience of the event for personal use, to contribute to a blog and to bring back learning for themselves and others on their return.

Steve Grant (Assistant Director of Human Resources – University of Manchester) seconded to Corridor Manchester said “It’s fantastic that a group of young Manchester people, mostly from very disadvantaged backgrounds, have been selected for such a high profile and prestigious initiative”. The group visited Downing Street last month, as the guests of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and their progress is also being followed by BBC television’s ‘Blue Peter’.