Virgin Manchester werkt samen met foyer
maandag, 11 december 2006
Ondertussen bij de buren ... Starting with a three month trial at Manchester Foyer in Hulme, The RE*Generation will involve a work experience and development programme and Life Skills coaching with Virgin Megastores from February 2007. Including a variety of music focused opportunities, music workshops and open mike sessions, the course will also allow participants to gain hands-on experience in the PR & Marketing departments for Virgin Megastores.
Foyer announces new partnership with Virgin Megastores
Starting with a three month trial at Manchester Foyer in Hulme, The RE*Generation will involve a work experience and development programme and Life Skills coaching with Virgin Megastores from February 2007. Including a variety of music focused opportunities, music workshops and open mike sessions, the course will also allow participants to gain hands-on experience in the PR & Marketing departments for Virgin Megastores.
A ‘Life Skills’ toolkit has been developed specifically for the programme by Personnel & Development which aims to provide those taking part with basic skills in presentation, communication, interviews and CV writing.
Virgin Megastores has also committed to fundraising for Foyer and will now display collection tins and raise funds through events based at the Virgin Megastores’ new store in the Arndale Centre, Manchester.
If the three month trial is successful, the programme will be rolled out to the top 30 Virgin Megastores across the UK.
Commenting on the partnership, Operations and Logistics Director for Virgin Megastores, Richard Carter, says: “This is a very exciting time for Virgin Megastores. We have just opened an exciting Flagship store in Manchester Arndale and want to mark the occasion by giving something back to the local community. It’s important that companies like Virgin support initiatives both home and abroad. We felt that with Manchester and its vibrant culture, community and history it was important to support the local community.”
Carter continues on the proposed partnership with Foyer: “We have signed an agreement with Foyer in order to channel our efforts to those who need the support. We believe that Foyer, with over 130 Foyers across the UK, is the ideal partner as they have a mandate to help 16 to 25 year olds get their lives back on track and we can help this by opening doors to the entertainment industry and give young people a chance to try something new.”
There are thousands of young people in the UK living on the margins of society. One in twenty between the ages of 16-24, are likely to experience homelessness and there are currently more than one million young people not in education, employment or training.
Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of Foyer says that: "Virgin is a brand young people really identify with. The work experience and other support that's on offer will be of lasting value to young people who often find it difficult to get a job because they haven't had an opportunity to prove themselves."
“By accessing Virgin Megastores channels, people, time and other resources we aim to make a fundamental impact on the lives of young people supported by Foyer, and hope to genuinely benefit their lives by giving them the blocks to build a positive future.”
The RE*Generation campaign is part of Virgin Retail’s ongoing work with Virgin Unite - the independent charitable arm of Virgin, fully funded and supported by the Group, ensuring all donations go directly to the frontline to make real change happen. Unite was created by Richard Branson and Virgin employees around the world to harness Virgin’s people, resources and energy to make a real difference to forgotten people and overlooked issues. For more information go to www.virginunite.com
