As we see the Royal Albert Dock springing back to life and the bars restaurants shops and hotels recovering after the challenges they have faced over the past couple of years.  The Royal Albert Dock Charitable Foundation has picked up its engagement in providing opportunities for young people furthest away from the job market.

What’s been happening?

Virtual Support for Schools - RADCF working in partnership with LCR Careers Hub, Growth Platform and Speakers for Schools.

 The Concept was to create a Royal Albert Dock Video by recording Dock Tenants in situ speaking about the wide range of career pathways available.  The video to then to be used within high schools across social media platforms by supporting career sessions. 

Launch of the RADCF video in the form of ‘Den on the Dock’ Enterprise Programme delivered to 80 SEND Young People 

 The Charitable Foundation worked in partnership with LCR Careers Hub & ‘Speakers for Schools’ to create an innovative launch for the first RADCF Virtual platform for schools by developing opportunities for SEND young people in Liverpool City Region in the form of an Enterprise Programme named ‘Den on the Dock’

Engaging with several tenants on the Dock and further afield, enabled the delivery of bespoke sessions throughout the programme which ran over 3 months.

5 SEND Schools took part with an overall total of 80 students involved.                                                                          

   

     

The final round of 'Den on the Dock' involved 2 schools attending a Tour of the Dock before they embarked in developing their 'Inclusive Map of the Dock'

                                 

Sean Morrison, Estates Manager speaking to the group about the importance of Health & Safety

Outcomes from the sessions

• After getting involved ‘Human Apparel’ an online fashion brand social enterprise project has offered various workshops for the young people taking part which will enable the joint design of a T-Shirt to be sold online with proceeds going to the charity choice of the winning school.    
• Innovative Ideas put forward from the young people when   designing an inclusive map of the Dock to be shared with Dock Management Team for consideration.

     

                                                  One of the Inclusive Royal Albert Dock Map Ideas

    

• £100 voucher donated by Whats Cooking towards a class meal for the winning school.
• 2x£50 Amazon Prime vouchers donated from LCR Careers Hub to winners and runners up.
• Full Day STEM Session offered from CGI at Albert Dock for the runners up.

Career/Education tours for Greenbank College

  The Foundation welcomed a group of SEND young people with their support workers over 2 sessions.  The First session was led by Charley Martin, Liver Tours giving a great insight to the heritage at the Dock and as always on hand to answer question from the many inquisitive minds.   

                                                             

 A stop at TATE followed, where Jed showed the young people around many of the exhibits ensuring everyone engaged with his fun delivery of the session.

     

 Helen, Roberts, Manager shared details of her role and that of her staff in the Holiday Inn Express prompting many questions from these young people.

Feedback from Greenbank College

“Thank you so much to all involved.  The Tour was amazing and informative and gave the interns lots of insight into different careers.  Thank you, Team Albert Dock.”

Return Visit from Greenbank College

An interest to explore the Discovery Zone within Beatles Story and a request by several the young people to see a demonstration from a Barista led to a return visit for Greenbank College.     

                                                     

Recreating Beatles tunes on the Floor Piano while some of the young people tried out the various instruments within the Discovery Zone.               

  This young lady’s vision is to work in a cafe, serving coffee and with the patience shown by Olivia from Beatles story, her dream has come true as she served up coffee for eager customers.   

                  

                        The perfect finished result

 Questions from the young people about what happens in the offices at the Albert Dock? Led to a visit and a talk from Louise Kelleher, Facilities Manager, CBRE with some light refreshments after a fun packed informative morning.  

Feedback from young people following the re-visit 

“I really enjoyed seeing the Beatles Story.  I also enjoyed watching a Barista make a couple of different drinks.  I finally enjoyed being in a office having a drink and biscuits.”

“I enjoyed every bit of it. Makin coffee and meeting Betty was fun.  Going to Beatles Story was fun.  Meeting Oliva and making coffee was amazing.”

‘Look out for what’s coming next and how YOU can get involved… …

‘ Work ready 2’ The Foundation is planning the delivery of our 2^nd ‘Work Ready programme where we support a number of young people, furthest away from the job market by providing  bespoke sessions over a number of weeks  preparing them for the world of work.  Involvement from several Dock Tenants will enhance their chances of future work opportunities so please get in touch if you could offer any support.  betty.boner@albertdock.com

‘Den on the Dock 2’

Following the success of the first ‘Den on the Dock’ Enterprise Initiative, plans are moving forward to deliver a second.  Thanks go out to everyone involved in the first:

• Claire & the Team from LCR Careers Hub
• Shaheen & Team from Speakers for Schools
• Dan & Jed from Pan Am & Whats Cooking
• Helen from  Holiday Inn Express
• Sean, Jennifer and Louise from CBRE
• Sophie & Rebecca from Curtins
• Mohammed from Human Apparel
• Charley from Liver Tours
• Luke from CGI

If you would like to get involved next time, then please let me know!

More Education/Careers  visits from local schools

We are planning regular Education/Careers Tours throughout the year and welcome support from businesses around the Albert Dock who could spare 15 minutes or so to speak to a small group of young people about how your business works and the career opportunities within your sector.

As and when we have dates for tours we’ll be in touch!

betty.boner@albertdock.com

We at The Royal Albert Dock Charitable Foundation share the pain and frustration towards systemic racism in the recent Black Lives Matter protests worldwide. We want to emphasise our commitment to always stand in solidarity with and champion the voices of black young people across the country.

The Royal Albert Dock Charitable Foundation stands with the Black community and other BAME communities against all forms of racism and we encourage our partners to do the same.

We are passionate about promoting diversity and are consistently working to empower young people from all backgrounds. We recognise and actively work to alleviate racial inequality and prejudice in all areas of our work.

We urge our partners to engage with members of the BAME community, whether colleagues or service users, to understand their reality and to understand the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. It is essential that we take it upon ourselves to research more into these issues.

The RADCF is proud to work in a city that is so ethnically diverse and we will continue to ensure that all opportunities are available and accessible to all.

Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign which takes place in June.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Carers Week celebrates and recognises the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.6 million unpaid carers – people who look after a relative, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without them.

Carers Week raises awareness of caring, highlights the challenges unpaid carers face and recognises the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

This year, people across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support.

For this Carers Week, we're coming together to help Make Caring Visible.

How to get involved

Here are some ways that you can help make caring visible in your community:

• Download the Carers Week resources
• Follow the Carers Week Twitter
• Like the Carers Week Facebook page
• Write to your MP and ask them to show their support for Carers Week 2020

Making Caring Visible will help carers get the information and support they need.

For more information and resources, head to https://www.carersweek.org/

Mental Health Awareness Week (18^th to 24^th May 2020) is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. It’s the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and inspire actions to promote the message of good mental health for everyone. The theme this year is kindness.

The changes we’re all experiencing during this current time will no doubt cause some levels of stress and/or anxiety. So, we are all having to work a little harder to look after our mental health and wellbeing. What things do you do to help?

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

CONNECT:

Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:

• help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
• give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
• provide emotional support and allow you to support others

There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships like:

1. try switching off the tv and chatting or playing a game with someone you love
2. eat dinner with your family
3. call a friend for a catch up

There are lots of new and exciting innovations which have helped make interaction easier as social distancing measures are in place such as video calling platforms and apps galore to help you keep in touch.

BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

• raising your self-esteem
• helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
• causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

Staying physically active has become a little more difficult in recent weeks. But here are some ways you may like to try:

1. make use of free online exercise classes (there’s even dance classes too!)
2. utilise open green spaces in your local area (after all, the world is your gym!)
3. cleaning and gardening are ways to work out without even knowing that you are exercising

KEEP LEARNING

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

• boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
• helping you to build a sense of purpose
• helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life. 

Some of the things you could try include:

1. work on a DIY project 
2. learn or practice a new recipe 
3. try a new hobby that challenges you
4. sign up for an online course

GIVE

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:

• creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
• giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
• helping you connect with other people
• It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

Some examples of the things you could try include:

1. saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you
2. asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer
3. spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company
4. offering to help someone you know with DIY project
5. volunteering in your community

TAKE NOTICE (MINDFULNESS)

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

This awareness is sometimes called "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:

1. Get a plant for your workspace
2. Have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
3. Take notice of how the people around you are feeling or acting
4. Take a different route on your walks

Remember, give kindness to yourself and others. 

For more information and for useful links and videos visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/.

The Intern to work programme has been such a great success so far with young people getting work placements and learning vital skills they need in a professional environment. Placements have led to employment for some students and others take away the confidence of employment for the future. The programme focuses on young people aged 16-24 who may find it difficult in finding work. The Royal Albert Dock Charitable Foundation supports the ‘Intern to Work’ programme and helps find placements for young people around the Royal Albert Dock.

An event was held at Anfield Stadium in order to raise awareness for the ‘Intern to Work’ programme and encouraged more businesses to get involved. More than 400 people attended the supported Interns event on the 28th of January including potential interns and their parents, education providers and potential employers. It was an inspiring and emotional day hearing from past interns and how much their placement has benefited them, as well as see them go on to get employment. Stalls were set up from various employers so students and parents could ask questions and find out more about the ‘Intern to Work’ programme.

The event was a great success and hopes to bring a lot more employers onboard the programme that can give young people placement opportunities and give them the confidence they need in finding work.