Students from Bexhill Academy have graduated from the inspirational Be the Change programme sponsored by Hastings Direct, delivered by LoveLocalJobs.com and humanutopia.
Year 9 pupils from the local secondary school came together last week at the Hastings Centre to complete the programme. The 110 students celebrated their journey with 28 business volunteers from Hastings Direct, course leaders from humanutopia and Lovelocaljobs.com and teachers from their school.
As the students received certificates and Be the Change ribbons, they applauded each other and reflected on the past year. Many students stood in front of the gathered audience and revealed their feelings about moving forward with the skills they have learnt.
Jay Wootten, Hastings Direct’s Events and Community Relations Manager commented, “It was great to see the students from Bexhill Academy graduate from this year’s Be the Change course. To see the difference in their confidence levels and to hear them talk about the things they can do now which will set them up for the future and show the real impact on their lives is amazing.”
Ed Brazier, Pastoral Manager Bexhill Academy, said; “The impact of the Be the Change sessions on our students cannot be denied, they grow in confidence and self-belief. This change benefits them so much and translates into our school, making it a better place. It is really inspiring!”
Ben Eldridge, PE teacher Bexhill Academy, added; “Be the Change has made such a positive impact on our students at Bexhill Academy. Thanks to the Be the Change team and Hastings Direct for inspiring the young students of our community to be successful learners and responsible citizens to our community”.
A year 9 student from Bexhill Academy said; “Thank you for everything, this programme has really helped me realise I don’t need to change for anyone and just be myself. Talking with my mentor and group has enabled me to become more confident.”
Rosanna Farrar, Lovelocaljob.com added; “We are delighted with the success of the Bexhill Be the Change programme this year. It has been incredible to see the positive changes made and the difference in so many of the students. Hastings Direct should be incredibly proud of the impact they have had on so many young people at Bexhill Academy.”
Graham Moore Co-Founder of humanutopia said; “It has been a real privilege to work with Bexhill Academy; the students have been great ambassadors for the young people in the area. They have also been professionally supported by the caring business volunteers from Hastings Direct who truly wish to make a difference to the lives and aspirations of the young students”.
ENDS
Hastings Direct PR Manager:
Natalie Sadlier
Tel: 01424 735735 / pr@hastingsdirect.com
About Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is a fast growing, agile, digitally focused general insurance provider to the UK market, with over 2.2 million live customer policies and employing over 2,700 colleagues at sites in Bexhill, Leicester and Newmarket.
We have built our business by championing the customer by providing refreshingly straightforward service and products and offer car, bike, van and home insurance directly to the public.
Hastings Direct is a trading name of Hastings Insurance Services Limited, the UK trading subsidiary of Hastings Group Holdings plc, which also trades via “People’s Choice” and “insurePink”.
About Be the Change
Gary Peters, MD of LoveLocalJobs.com and Graham Moore (humanutopia) are co-founders of ‘Be the Change’. Sessions are facilitated by Graham Moore and delivered by the Be the Change team with the support of business mentor volunteers. It is a ground breaking, inspirational programme of events aimed at students who may face challenges and difficulties in school or with school life. The activities focus on happiness, confidence, hope, relationships and employability and encourage students to identify their personal barriers to success, before helping them find ways of overcoming them. Be the Change helps open student’s eyes to the world of work and wealth of the educational possibilities and career opportunities in their hometown and beyond. Be the Change acts as a springboard for young people, helping them realise their full potential and providing them with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to aim high and work towards successful careers.
About LoveLocalJobs.com
LovelocalJobs.com is a family of jobs boards that works in partnership with businesses, local authorities, universities, colleges, schools, charities and community groups in cities, towns and districts across Sussex and the south east. It comprises six regional jobs boards: BrightonandHoveJobs.com, 1066Jobs.com, GatwickDiamondJobs.com, CoastalWestSussexJobs.com, LoveEastbourneJobs.com and LoveCroydonJobs.com. As well as these jobs boards they have a further four careers advice and guidance sites which have been designed by young people for young people with the help and support of local business mentors.
About humanutopia
humanutopia is a social business that creates and runs inspirational courses in schools for students and staff. Their courses are based on personal, social and workplace skills development, and improve the hope, confidence, happiness, relationships, and employability of participating students. Over the last 11 years humanutopia have worked with over 200,000 young people, 200 schools, 25,000 adults and 20,000 heroes.