Leicester students graduate from be the change initiative

Students from three Leicester schools have graduated from the inspiring Be the Change programme sponsored by Hastings Direct, delivered by LoveLocalJobs.com and Humanutopia.

Year 8 and year 9 pupils from Manor High School, Welland Park Community College and Madani Schools Federation came together this week at Leicester Tigers to complete the programme. The 88 students celebrated their journey with 20 business volunteers from Hastings Direct, course leaders from Humanutopia and Lovelocaljobs.com and teachers from the participating schools.

As they received certificates and Be the Change ribbons, students 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 CSR and events executive commented, "The Be the Change graduation was another really positive event to be part of; to hear the plans of the students for the future was very humbling and refreshing. It is clear that the Be the Change programme has made a big difference to all involved - which is great to see."

Caroline Jenkins, teacher at Manor High School said; "Our year eight pupils have found the Be the Change programme a fantastic challenge and inspiration. They were very excited by each new step of the programme and we have seen a real positive impact in the classroom. Pupils have made positive changes to their own lives to aspire to greatness. A huge thanks to Hastings Direct and all involved with the programme."

Tayyib Hussein, a year 9 student from Madani Federation School added; "Be the Change has helped me to build my confidence in life so that I can be successful in the future. The course has been brilliant."

Joe Monksfield, Hastings Direct business volunteer said; "It was a pleasure to be part of something that is giving back to our community. Be the Change has had a massive effect and it was so nice to see the students becoming more confident as the course went on. Be the Change also had a massive impact on myself and I'm so happy and proud that I was a part of it."

Rosanna Farrar, Lovelocaljob.com added; "We have been overwhelmed by the success of the Leicester Be the Change programme and it was incredible to see the positive changes made and the difference in so many of the students. Hastings Direct should be so proud of the impact they have had on so many young people."

Graham Moore and Carlo Missirian, Co-Founders of Humanutopia said; "It has been a real privilege to work with the community of Leicester; 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 young people in their city".

About Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct is a fast growing, agile, digitally focused general insurance provider to the UK market, with over 2.1 million customers and employing over 2,500 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, motorcycle, 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".

We are a multi award winning business, most recently as:

• 2015 Car Insurance Provider of the Year, Consumer Moneyfacts Awards
• 2015 Personal Lines Broker of the Year, UK Broker Awards
• 2015 Team of the Year, Financial Experience Awards