In a heartwarming collaboration, M&Y Maintenance and Construction, a leading North-West construction and maintenance company, has joined forces with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to empower and inspire thirty Year 6 children at Stansfield Hall CE/ Free Church Primary School. This initiative is part of the Raising Aspirations program, developed by the national charitable organization Positive Footprints. The program aims to equip children with the skills they need to lead positive lives by boosting their confidence, resilience, and self-belief, while also providing practical employability skills and insights into the world of work.
Investing in the Future
M&Y Maintenance and Construction, recently appointed to a Reactive Boiler Installation contract by RBH, have taken a significant step by pledging their support for this 12-month program. This commitment is in line with their mission to deliver social value initiatives in the neighbourhoods where they operate, making a tangible difference in the lives of the community. Abbie Riley, New Business Manager, expressed their delight in supporting the Raising Aspirations program, saying, “At M&Y, we are committed to creating long-lasting positive impacts through our work with communities, and we’ve seen first-hand the difference this program can make for children, increasing their confidence and improving their understanding of the opportunities available to them.”
Nurturing Career Aspirations
A recent report by Teach First emphasized the importance of high-quality career education in schools, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Vicki Williams, Assistant Headteacher at Stansfield Hall CE/ Free Church Primary School, highlighted the significance of the program, stating, “Having funding to allow our children to access the Raising Aspirations program gives our children the chance to develop skills and opportunities that they would not normally be exposed to.” She continued, “The challenges and activities push them out of their comfort zone in a fun and engaging way and help them to develop and explore their qualities and skill sets to prepare them for their next steps in life.”
A Glimpse into the World of Work
As part of the Raising Aspirations program, RBH and M&Y Maintenance and Construction will support the school in organizing a career carousel event. During this event, professionals from various industries will visit the school to explain their roles to the pupils. Vicki further explained, “The careers carousel allows them to explore jobs and futures that are not always visible to them, which is invaluable to their future life choices.”
Commitment to Social Value
Rachael Ray, RBH Social Value and Community Wealth Building Co-ordinator expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “We’re pleased to work with organizations like M&Y who share our commitment to social value, and we are excited to take part in the Raising Aspirations Program for the first time and show the pupils at Stansfield Hall CE/ Free Church Primary School the wide range of opportunities in housing.”
Get Involved
Schools and businesses interested in delivering or supporting the Raising Aspirations Program can find more information on the Positive Footprints website at www.positivefootprints.co.uk. At M&Y Maintenance and Construction and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, empowering the next generation and contributing to the community’s well-being is at the heart of what they do. Together, they are making a positive impact on the lives of these young students, opening doors to a world of possibilities.
