Junior Mentors project goes down a treat!

Six months of hard work and preparation by our Junior Mentors came down to a night of fine dining and entertainment at Bishop Challoner School. The young people catered to a host of guests; family members, friends and even the Head of Girls’ Campus Nick Soar!

     

Head Teacher Nick Soar enjoys his starter.

The young people, who are part of the ReachOut Junior Mentors Project, served up a delightful 3 course meal; with the option of having either lamb or fruit kebab as a starter, chicken and mushroom pie or rice and peas with chicken. This was then topped off with a warm, delectable apple crumble for desert.

This was followed by a performance written and directed by, and starring the young people. In the months leading up to the event, the Junior Mentors prepared tirelessly for an enactment of how gang culture was ruining the community. They used the death of a fellow pupil who fell unkindly to gang culture, and also their own perception to put on a show which was described as ‘Top notch’ by Luke Ounsworth.

The audience were on the edge of their seat as the Junior Mentors performed.

The ReachOut Junior Mentors Project, funded by the Macquarie Group Foundation, are paired with senior mentors that help guide young people through various tasks and projects, that ultimately are designed to boost confidence & skills, encourage teamwork and provide a unique experience.

Sarah Barker, mother of Taylor Barker said “Taylor is very academic but has struggled emotionally and the ReachOut project came along at just the right time to give her the extra support she needed. The girls have become a really tight knit group. It’s been a really excellent project.”

Junior Mentor Shawkat Hussain said “ReachOut has changed my way of thinking about the future, it's not straightforward, because what I had in mind was to be a businessman, but I met mentors who work in banks and thought I could do that, and I also think I'd like to be a mentor one day. It's just been a great opportunity to be able to come to ReachOut.”

By Ali Aden, ex-ReachOut mentee

A fond farewell to Hannah Christie

1^st October 2012 was a landmark moment in ReachOut history as Hannah Christie became our first employee to transfer between offices.  After two years working in our Manchester office in roles including volunteer management, project delivery and fundraising, she moved to our London office to head up our fundraising efforts nationwide.

Hannah settled really well, and was a great asset to our team in London.  She did a wonderful job, exceeding both mine and ReachOut’s expectations in every way.  She brought some great attributes to the table, not least her office banter, but especially her relentless work ethic and intelligent creativity. 

She has been a really valued member of our team, and as such there were bittersweet emotions when she left us last month (May 2013) for an incredible opportunity as Corporate Partnerships Manager at the St Giles Trust.  Thankfully she’s still helping us with fundraising, and volunteers regularly at the ReachOut Academy, so it’s not quite goodbye and we wish her all the best in the new job!

Peter Blackwell

Sir Howard Bernstein Visits ReachOut

On Monday the 3rd of June Sir Howard Bernstein payed a visit to our Rusholme headquarters. Our own Xavier Bosch invited Sir Howard, because he felt the CEO of Manchester City Council could impart some valuable wisdom to our mentors and mentees.

As most readers of this blog will agree, mentoring is such a valuable process for young people in Manchester and London, but what did Sir Howard have to say about it?

Throughout Sir Howard's talk, he emphasized the importance of the work that ReachOut carries out on a weekly basis. He argued that mentoring was preventative of future disadvantage, and as a result helps to reduce the dependency of disadvantaged people on council support. Bearing this in mind, mentoring is not only a hugely beneficial thing for the individuals themselves, but also for the city as a whole.

Sir Howard has done more than anyone else to make Manchester a vibrant and recession proof city. In recognition of his commitment to improving the city, ReachOut awarded him the title of Honorary Chief Mentor.

If there is one leaf we can take out of Sir Howard's book, its that we can all do something to make our city great. So let's carry on with the good work!

Luke Shelbourn
Manchester

In Pictures Summer 2013

London Academy Y9s (and Fran) outside the stunning 'Sagrada  Familia' during a half-term trip to Barcelona

Manchester’s (frosty) annual Junior Mentor outward bound trip to Aberdovey

A full house for the Volunteer Awards in Manchester

London 'Bronze Award' winners proudly show off their certificates at the Volunteer Awards

Top Corner! 'Simply Health' eventually ran out winners in another successful Charity Cup in Manchester

Bloomberg, champions of the London Charity Cup 2013, pictured with the tournament organisers, the London Academy Y9's

ReachOut supporter Terry Stokes was one of four brave souls who ran the London Marathon on our behalf

ReachOut has undergone an amazing makeover

Barcelona 2013

After a year of hard work, both in the classroom and on the football pitch, the ReachOut Year 9’s got their just rewards, jetting off to Barcelona for four days of fun, culture and football on the 28^th of May.

The flight from a grey Gatwick to sunnier climates marked the start of a trip filled with new experiences which the boys are certain to never forget. For some it would be a first time flying, a first time abroad, a first prolonged period away from family and even a first opportunity to swim in the sea.

Charles in the dance off

After arrival in Badalona, a picturesque coastal city adjoined to Barcelona, the boys got their first taste of the city soaked in culture. Following dinner by the beautiful port, the boys themselves became the attraction entertaining tourists with a ‘dance off’ on Barcelona’s most famous street, ‘La Rambla’.

Albert, Habib, Josh, David and Charles - the future of FC Barcelona?

On our first full day, there was nowhere better to start than with a visit to one of the world’s most famous sporting arenas, the ‘camp nou’, home to F.C Barcelona. The club’s moto ‘mes que un club’ is famously spelt out in the chairs of the stadium, and whilst we couldn’t have been any further from the Hackney Marshes, the amazed expressions on the boy’s faces reminded me that we did have something in common with the world’s greatest club, at ReachOut, we too, are ‘more than a club’. After our visit to the stadium it was time to take advantage of the good weather and hit the beach for some relaxation before our first football match later that evening.

Albert, Ayo, Habib, Anil and Tarik chillin'.

The privilege of playing football in Europe is usually reserved for those who have enjoyed domestic success, so it was fitting that the boy’s first foray into Europe should come quick off the back of a league and cup double under the stewardship of Arrigo ‘Vialli’ Beino. The boys played two matches on a pitch set high in the hills with stunning views overlooking the city, winning comfortably in their first game (5-1) before losing out to a team of older players in the second.

Alan, Albert (again!) Reuben and Agit being forced to have a photo with Fran

The second day was spent exploring the city centre, where we visited the stunning ‘Sagrada Familia’ and shopped for souvenirs. Then it was back to the scenic pitch of our hospitable hosts F.C Brafa, where the home team ran out 5-4 in a thrilling encounter. The match ended with a friendly penalty shout-out, with the ReachOut boys keeping their cool to win 4-2. After the match we headed back to our hostel via the stunning ‘Casa Batllo’, another masterpiece of Gaudi’s.

Time flies when you’re having fun and before we knew it, it was time to head home, but not before a trip to Europe’s largest theme park, PortAventura.

It was a trip that the young people (and adults) will never forget. It was a deserved reward for all their hard work at the Academy, on the football pitch and in fundraising for the trip.

By Ewan Rothnie

ReachOut's Year 9s salute their fans.

Mentor and Mentee Achievements

At ReachOut we are incredibly proud of our mentors and mentees so it is wonderful to see them receiving recognition for their hard work and achievements. 

University of Manchester Volunteer of the year & social responsibility awards:

ReachOut staff and volunteers were lucky enough to be invited to the University of Manchester’s annual volunteer awards in May. The glitzy ceremony was held in the Whitworth Hall (where students graduate) and included posh nibbles and a jazz band as well as the award presentations themselves. It was an honour to hear no less than Dame Nancy Rothwell commend students for volunteering with organisations like ReachOut.

Chereice Carter was recognised for her commitment and innovation as a Project Leader for the ReachOut Club, achieved a Commended Award in the Students category. Chereice started three years ago as a volunteer mentor, stepping up in her second year as a project leader for the St Mary’s Primary School Club in Moss Side. This year, Chereice has been the project leader of the St John’s Primary School Club in Wythenshawe, and has taken project-leading to the next level! She has planned every session herself, designing brand-new activities, games and worksheets to help her mentees develop academically and personally. Chereice always has a smile on her face, and her positivity has motivated both the mentees and mentors to give everything their best. Chereice graduates this summer and plans to become a teacher. We know she’ll be great but we will miss her at ReachOut Manchester!

The other nominees included Polly Rusby, who has volunteered for 3 years as well as being part of the committee, and Jonjo Bigwood, who has volunteered for 2 years and helped his mentees record a film this year. Alumni volunteers were also recognised: Rob Lennox for his commitment to the Post-16 project, Inigo Kelsey for being an Academy Project Leader and Jamie Fox for volunteering on both the Junior Mentor and Academy projects.

Jack Petchey Achievement Awards

The Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme is a reward and recognition initiative which enables schools and youth organisations to celebrate the achievements of their young people as well as receive additional funding. Each month ReachOut! chooses an award winner who then can choose how ReachOut! spends £200 donated by the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Winners for this quarter are below.

February - Zoey Hitzert

Zoey was a fantastic ReachOut Club mentor in 2011 and this year became a Project Leader on the first girls ReachOut Club at Rhyl Primary School in Camden. As a Project Leader Zoey has amazing attention to detail. She is aware of the needs of each of her mentees, but also the mentors, and is able to plan her activities accordingly, always considering what is best for them. This February has been particularly tough as two mentors had to leave the project and were not replaced for a few weeks. Zoey did incredibly well to make sure the mentees did not feel they were being abandoned or overlooked by mentoring them herself whilst still running the project! Zoey is a fantastic Project Leader and we really hope she will be back again next year. Thanks Zoey and congratulations!

March - Billie-Jo Moorton-Elderton
Billie-Jo attends the ReachOut Academy project in Hackney where she takes part in one-to-one academic mentoring and football coaching. At the start of the year Billie-Jo was particularly disruptive in sessions; shouting out, refusing to follow instructions and distracting others. Things came to a head one session when she was rude to her mentor and so the Project Leader, her mentor and Billie-Jo sat down together to discuss her behaviour, the project, and what she would like to gain from ReachOut. Billie-Jo worked extremely hard to improve her behaviour throughout March and succeeded! She now gets on really well with her mentor and scores one of the highest on effort and behaviour each week. Well done Billie-Jo!

April - Oladayo Olagunju
Oladayo Olagunju has made tremendous efforts developing the Junior Mentor Programme boys' group project. His group are making a documentary film about football this term and he has taken on the role of directing. He has undertaken much of the pre-production work (research and development). He has also devised the concept and basic synopsis for the whole project. His skills as a leader (by example) have been simply outstanding under difficult circumstances. He is the only boy who isn’t actually involved in the football team and has undertaken much this work on his own after the other boys have gone to football training. Congratulations Oladayo!

The Manchester ReachOut Cup 2013

Every year, the ReachOut cup is a great opportunity for our corporate partners to pit their footballing metal against one another in a hard fought competition of endurance, strength and sportsmanship. All of this of course interspersed with the eager consumption of cheese and pickle sandwiches. Every team has the desire to win, but only one can enjoy the honor or lifting that coveted talisman of athleticism, the ReachOut cup!

Our Lady's RC High School played host to the event, on a gloriously sunny Manchester afternoon. We had ten teams taking part this year, including: James Lang Lasalle, Berrymans, Survivors Manchester, Arrow Global, Lewis Hickey, Nando's, Zurich, Simply Health, Glaisyers and our very own ReachOut Team. 

Each corporate team kindly donated funds to ReachOut to help fund our amazing projects. It is great to see so many companies making a commitment to helping disadvantaged young people in Manchester. Thank you guys, we think you are all amazing.

We are also very proud that the tournament was able to play host to Survivors Manchester's first match as a football team. The team made up of service users and members of staff put in a fantastic effort. Here's to many more matches to come guys! 

The group stages were a close run affair with Nando's and Simply health securing semi final spots from Group B, and Berrymans and James Lang Lasalle emerging victorious from group A.

In the Semi finals, Berrymans lined up against Nando's, and Simply Health lined up against James Lang Lasalle. 

Returning champions Berrymans were pushed to penalties by an industrious Nando's side, but Berrymans showed more composure from the spot to secure a berth in the final.

Simply Health scored the solitary goal of the second semi final deep into latter stages of the match, setting up a final showdown with Berryman's.

In the final, the two group winners cancelled each other out with the twenty minute match ending in a stalemate. Cue the second round of penalties of the tournament and it was Simply Health who came out on top, dethroning defending champions Berrymans, despite the valiant efforts of the latter.

Congratulations Simply Health, ReachOut Cup champions 2013.

Several ReachOut volunteers and two of our junior mentors came down to help us run the event. From refereeing matches to collating match results, all of our volunteers helped to make the event a success. Thanks for all the hard work guys.

We want to congratulate all the teams for the fantastic atmosphere that ran throughout the day and the exemplary sportsmanship displayed by all participants. A great day all round!

Luke Shelbourn

Project Manager

Manchester