Launch of the ‘Young Minds, Brighter Futures’ Programme
Launch of the ‘Young Minds, Brighter Futures’ programme
BIG Alliance is excited to announce the launch of a new educational programme in collaboration with MUFG and City of London Academy Highgate Hill School (COLA HH) – ‘Young Minds, Brighter Futures’. The programme seeks to empower students of secondary school age by working with corporate volunteers in a wide range of activities to develop their skills and gain an insight into the world of work. This year (2023-24) will be the first pilot year of the programme.
The launch event took place on 12 October, which brought together MUFG volunteers and students from COLA HH. The event was inspiring and volunteers were able to meet the students face-to-face. The evening kicked off with a game of ‘Human Bingo’ where students and volunteers had the chance to build connections with one another.
One of the event’s highlights was a speech delivered by the guest speaker, Blair Robertson, Chief Transformation Officer for EMEA. Blair delivered an impactful speech that emphasised the power of CSR and the incredible potential for positive change when businesses and educational institutions collaborate.
Chris Jackson, Head of Student Personal Development at COLA HH, also addressed the attendees, underscoring the critical role that such partnerships play in shaping the future of students. He expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with MUFG and their dedication to supporting the students.
The first activity that took place was a Career Insight visit for Year 10 students with a focus on Technology. It was an insightful day where students had the chance to design their own app and develop speaking skills by presenting their ideas to the corporate volunteers.
The next activity will take place at the end of November where students will have an opportunity to take part in an ‘Hour of Code’ session to learn the foundations of coding.
Zinab Aldaraji, Head of CSR, said:
“In championing the future, let’s not forget it resides within our youth. Our ‘Young Minds, Brighter Futures’ programme embodies our commitment to equip the next generation with essential tools and opportunities. Let’s unite to ensure every young mind shines, as it’s our shared responsibility to pave the way for future generations.”
We look forward to the next year of working with MUFG and City of London Academy Highgate Hill for an exciting year of opportunities for the students and volunteers.
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