Far East Consortium (FEC), the developer behind Victoria North – Manchester’s largest regeneration project – is funding an award-winning careers programme for school children in Collyhurst.
The developer has partnered with Positive Footprints, a North West charity which seeks to teach primary school children about the world of work. Students from Collyhurst-based primary schools St Malachy’s RC, Abbot Community Primary, Saviours and St Augustine’s will all benefit from the delivery of Positive Footprints’ ‘Raising Aspirations’ programme.
The programme, which is delivered both virtually and in-person, aims to help children aged 10 and 11 to explore the world of work, build resilience and develop skills for the future, while equipping them with the foundations they need during the transition to high school. It will also bring various opportunities for the younger community to see different aspects of a career in the construction industry.
The scheme has already been successfully rolled out to Saviours C of E Primary school, and will be extended to the other local schools to help provide local students with an insight into post-school life. Activities will be delivered virtually and physically in order to meet the demands of education and digital learning.
Rebecca Kirkland, Community Liaison Manager at FEC, said: “From the outset of the Victoria North project, our ambition has been to champion the community in Collyhurst with the future of the area’s existing residents taking top priority.
“By supporting Positive Footprints’ work with local primary schools, we can boost pupils’ career aspirations from a young age and help to nurture their potential.”
Lesley Burrows, Managing Director of Positive Footprints, said: “The pandemic has had an adverse effect on many children in the area, making the investment in their future even more important.
“It’s great to have a partner such as FEC on board to bring the Raising Aspirations programme to even more primary schools in Greater Manchester.”
Eileen Anderson, Head of Saviour CofE Primary School, said: ‘We are looking forward to engaging with the Raising Aspirations programme to inspire our children as they consider the possibilities of future careers.
This represents the start of a what we hope will be a fruitful relationship with FEC as they look to drive development in Collyhurst and beyond, while providing the support and tools for local children to thrive post-education.”
Earlier this year, FEC and Manchester City Council received planning approval for the first phase of the regeneration of Collyhurst Village and the development of South Collyhurst, which will deliver more than 270 homes and create a new public park as part of the wider £4bn Victoria North project.
