We’ve had some nice progress this week for I Can Make It.
On Wednesday, the 7th of June, one of our Champions for our Greater Manchester section Kathryn Woodhead managed to meet with Chris Howl, Policy and Equality Officer at Salford City Council. Kathryn provided input on behalf of I Can Make It into a toolkit that is being reviewed by the Salford Social Value Alliance on how it could be improved when it comes to employing more young people with disabilities, both at the meeting and through sending some resources made by our Champions to him afterwards. We look forward to working further with him in the future and providing more information to the alliance. We also have now got a joint meeting date confirmed in late July with Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
On the same day Jonathan Mears, our Champion for I Can Make It in the North East of England met with officials across the North East of England at NEPO to explain the campaign to them and provided examples of how councils could support employees with disabilities and health conditions. We had a positive reception from all councils present and looking forward to developing our contacts with them as well as making further progress with our involvement in a new social enterprise in Darlington, one that can create new job opportunities for young people with disabilities and health conditions.
There’s more progress being made for I Can Make It in the North East happening today (9th of June) as Jonathan is meeting with the North-East Chamber of Commerce to gain their support for the campaign. We will be extending a warm welcome to Shona Duncan the Head of Education and Skills for the Tyne Tees Valley Combined Authority when she visits our offices in early July. We’ve also established contact with Brighton & Hove City Council, one of our target cities.
A couple of matters related to our champions to conclude with. Thursday 8th of June was Luke Johnson's last day as a Modern Apprentice at Hull City Council with his role being facilitated through I Can Make It and Choices and Rights. He is leaving to pursue exciting new opportunities in America and goes with our thanks for his efforts to promote social value for people with disabilities and health conditions. We look forward to working with Luke’s successor when they are appointed.
Finally, we’d like to congratulate our Champion for Essex Heather Richardson who recently gained casual employment as a waitress at Pontlands Park Hotel and wish her further success in the next steps of her employment journey.