CHARITY
From left , Toby Joel of Jacksons Law Firm , Michael Shakesheff of Casper Shipping , Lauren Bywater of High Tide Foundation , Emily Skillcorn of Jacksons Law Firm and Ruth Conner of Active Financial .
Corporate partnership creates many benefits that go beyond raising vital funds for the charity , which doesn ’ t have the advantage of a large team of fundraisers .
“ proud ” to be involved with the charity as a corporate partner .
“ We see immense value in offering experience to young people in the area , to allow them to gain exposure to the legal sector and make informed decisions about their future careers ,” she says .
“ The staff at Jacksons enjoy engaging with the students and offering advice on career development , as and when needed .”
Kirsten Donkin , head of PR , marketing and communications at PD Ports , explains the sense of purpose behind being involved with the charity and opening the minds of young people to a world of opportunities .
She says : “ It ’ s really important that young people who are aspiring to build a career and anxious about the future are given the opportunity to experience working life and be inspired by positive role models who can share life experience about potential careers and pathways to development .”
The High Tide Foundation , which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary , is always looking for businesses of all sizes and sectors to get involved with its work experience programmes and influence and shape the Teesside workforces of tomorrow .
As it moves into the next decade , the charity has clear ambitions to work with every secondary school in the Tees Valley and all young people aged 11 to 16 , with the help of its dedicated , hands-on team of recently appointed trustees .
For students in years nine to 11 , this could mean experiencing up to five different workplaces in a week , in a revision to programmes , which also has benefits for the businesses involved .
Lauren explains : “ Some businesses find it hard to have students in for five full days – Monday might be great , but by Tuesday , you might not know what to do with them and a lot can happen in the working week !
“ So instead of taking one student for five days , we ’ re asking if businesses could take 10 students for one day and those students can experience up to five different workplaces over the week , while the business avoids those awkward days when they might not have anything for the student to do .
“ It ’ s also better for the students because they might avoid spending a full week at a company they have quickly decided they don ’ t want to work for .”
The High Tide Foundation is expecting high demand from secondary schools over the next decade , so it is keen to talk to any businesses that would like to get involved in delivering meaningful work experience to young people across the Tees Valley .
For more information , visit hightidefoundation . co . uk / for-businesses .
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