Family construction company Robert Woodhead Ltd and ex-forces educational charity SkillForce are celebrating the start of a charitable partnership supporting education and schools projects across Nottinghamshire.
SkillForce works primarily with ex-forces personnel who are trained and employed as instructors and able to put their skills to good use engaging with hard-to-reach young people to help them prepare for their next steps in education, work or training. The instructors often come from similar backgrounds to the young people they are supporting and are able to empathise with them and become positive role models. The programme uses activity based learning to engage, prepare and develop young people and help them find a way to achieve and succeed.
David Woodhead, Managing Director at Woodhead, said; “It’s important to us at Woodhead that we support worthwhile causes whenever possible. I’m delighted that our staff chose SkillForce to work with this year as our organisations are both committed to supporting education and to developing skills and talent in young people. I know we will be able to work closely with the SkillForce team to help develop local people and deliver some great school projects.”
Employees from Woodhead chose SkillForce as its charity for 2015, from a shortlist of worthwhile organisations and have already begun organising fundraising activities, with teams of colleagues already in training for the Big Fun Run 5k at Colwick Country Park, in August and the Nottingham Robin Hood Half Marathon in September.
Newly appointed Chief Executive of SkillForce, Ben Slade, said: “It’s brilliant that Woodhead’s employees have chosen SkillForce to be their charity for 2015. I am thrilled that we will be able to deliver exciting and worthwhile work together so close to home.”
MP for Sherwood Mark Spencer is also attending the event to celebrate the start of the partnership, he said: “I really appreciate the value of the work that SkillForce undertakes with young people both locally and nationally. Its great to see a local business like Woodhead committing their time and resources to support such a worthwhile charity.”
Pictured (Back Row) Tony Robinson, Fay Paterson, Tom Woodhead of Robert Woodhead Limited and Mark Spencer (MP). Front Row Janet Ford and Ben Slade of SkillForce.