Posted: 11/04/11
Bank staff to make a difference to students’ lives
Banking giant Barclay’s has teamed up with West Nottinghamshire College to help raise students’ aspirations.
Following a recent board meeting of principal and chief executive Asha Khemka's Inspire and Achieve Foundation, board member and Barclay’s bank relationship director Claire Kenny offered support to help make a difference to the lives of students at the college's Ashfield Centre, which caters for young people at risk of dropping out of education, employment or training.
Twelve students from the centre will visit Barclay’s new corporate headquarters at the prestigious Snow Hill development in central Birmingham on Thursday (14 April).
The group will be mentored by Barclay’s staff during a special 'development day', which will provide students with career opportunities and interview-preparation techniques, along with advice on customer care and corporate banking.
They will also take part in an ‘outfit challenge’ which will see them receive a budget with which to go into Birmingham city centre to select the ideal job interview outfit.
Barclay’s staff will then help students create a new garden at the Ashfield Centre in August. The bank's donation of £1,000 will help to transform a bare patch of land into an area with flowers and vegetables, seating and paving.
Ashfield Centre manager Sarah le Good said: “We’re incredibly grateful for Barclay’s generous donation to provide our students with a garden as well as offering to help undertake the work.
“Our students are really looking forward to volunteering during the summer break and helping the bank's staff create an area where they can grow fresh produce. The students want to see this area thrive as they are hoping to donate flowers and vegetables to the local community.
“Both the garden venture and the students’ visit to Birmingham will help to increase their motivation and open up new opportunities for the future.”
Fraser Mackay, Head of Corporate, Birmingham, said: “Barclays Corporate recognises the importance of visits such as this which provide an opportunity for our staff to help young people in their quest to find employment and to gain an understanding of the work environment.
“Our education team here in Birmingham works with colleges and universities across the Midlands region and I’m delighted that we can develop these relationships further by supporting initiatives such as this.”
