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 2nd ‘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