Keeping the Heart

Debenhams Ottaway raises over £10,000 for local charity Youth Talk

Hertfordshire law firm

Debenhams Ottaway celebrated the end of its partnership with local charity Youth Talk by raising over £10,000. This has provided over 200 much-needed counselling sessions to young people locally.

Debenhams Ottaway’s focus is on helping small local charities where they can really make a difference. Their collaborative partnership with Youth Talk started back in 2018 and in the last four years they have contributed more than £10,000 to help the young people of St Albans who need counselling and support. This has been achieved through a fantastic fundraising effort from their people, supported by matched funding and donations from the firm. From bake sales to photo competitions, bingo nights and triathlons, they have got involved in a wide range of fundraising activities, really demonstrating their support for the local community and helping young people struggling with their mental health. Their support extended beyond fundraising, from providing pro-bono legal advice to offering their meeting space. David Barker, Chief Executive at Youth Talk, comments “Youth Talk has been truly blessed by the support of Debenhams Ottaway. You have all been such a delight to work with and we’ve been so lucky with how your team has got behind the need to support our local young people. Our work relies on the goodwill, determination and passion of our local community – the team at Debenhams Ottaway never fail to amaze and inspire us, thank you.”

HERTS CONTRACTORS COLLABORATE to bring

apprenticeships to life for students

The last year of school can be a really scary time for many teenagers; exams, work experience, careers advice, and finally they’re asked to make decisions that could influence their future careers.

For those students who are unsure

whether to look for a job or to continue in full-time education, an apprenticeship is the perfect mix of both. However, without any real insight into how apprenticeships work, it can be difficult for students to understand the benefits and make the right decision.

It’s for this reason that two Hertfordshire based contractors, MCP Property Services and VolkerWessels UK, co-hosted a speed careers networking event. Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week 2022, the event was held at VolkerWessels UK’s Hoddesdon offices for Year 11 students from the local Rivers School. With the help of the Rivers Education Support Centre, students were given the opportunity to find out more about the different types of apprenticeship opportunities that are available at both MCP and VolkerWessels UK. MCP Community is a multi award-winning organisation that provides a comprehensive range of quality repair and maintenance services for the social housing sector. Apprenticeship opportunities include business administration and general construction trades such as electrical, plumbing and carpentry. VolkerWessels UK is a leading multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors. They offer a broad range of apprenticeship opportunities across both major sectors. By working together, both organisations were able to show the students how apprenticeships work; how they can learn specific skills through hands-on learning and classroom-based learning, and how this way of learning could enable them to achieve a national qualification, whilst earning money at the same time. The event also included careers advice and a Q&A session. Emma Ward, head of sustainability and inclusion for VolkerWessels UK said, “Events like careers speed networking are so important as they showcase the variety of careers that are open to students once they leave school. There was a real buzz in the room, thanks to the students from Rivers ESC and employees from MCP and VolkerWessels UK who willingly got involved with the event.”

Anna West, director of talent and relationships at MCP Community added, “This is the third time that we have taken part in this lively and rewarding event. We absolutely love being involved with schools in the local community, and engaging with and inspiring the next generation about career opportunities within our industry.” Collaborative events like these help to spark energy and interest in students, helping to reduce their fears and allow them to take the first steps toward a rewarding career.

Visit mcp.community or volkerwessels.co.uk for more information.

One YMCA

are working in partnership with CAE Technology Services

One YMCA are delighted to have received £20,000 from CAE Technology Services to help end homelessness. CAE is an IT infrastructure solutions provider, enabling the adoption of relevant technology. This incredibly generous donation will enable the 150+ residents of Charter House to have a dedicated computer suite giving them access to the same resources and facilities as their peers as they develop and progress towards employment and independent living.

CAE donated a further £10,600

for tablets for YMCA’s Digital Journey, allowing support workers to meet with residents in informal settings so that they are not restricted to meeting rooms and can allow residents to feel more relaxed.

One YMCA gave CAE a tour around Charter House to see the redevelopment work and the progress made towards its Dynamic Pathway to Independence, providing more safe spaces for the most vulnerable in the community, helping to end rough sleeping in Watford. The charity would like to thank everyone at CAE Technology Services for being part of this journey with them and they look forward to working closely together going forward. They would also like to thank Herts Chamber of Commerce for the introduction between them and CAE who have enabled this partnership. Richard Behan, Chief Corporate Development Officer at CAE Technology Services said: “It was an absolute privilege to see first-hand what One YMCA are building towards at Charter House. The spaces are incredibly well laid out and the use of colour and light in the design was impressive.” “At CAE we firmly believe in our purpose – to transform people’s experiences and people’s lives through technology, and this drives our purposeful behaviour. It allows us to make a difference and makes the impact of what we do real. To be a force for good and have the opportunity to work in partnership with One YMCA and impact people’s lives for the better is a positive step forward.”

They have continued their partnership work together through networking events, exploring how they can further work together, as well as sharing office space. Some of One YMCA’s staff have been over to the CAE offices to utilise their meeting spaces for strategic planning meetings. This has continued to strengthen their partnership work and they are looking to the future as to how this can continue.

Mark Turner, Chief Operating Officer from One YMCA said “This feels like one of the most valuable corporate partnership relationships we have developed so far and it goes so much further than just the amazing financial generosity and support. We really are sharing values and coming together to make a life changing and life saving difference across Hertfordshire.” It was an absolute privilege to see first-hand what One YMCA are building towards at Charter House. The spaces are incredibly well laid out and the use of colour and light in the design was impressive. At CAE we firmly believe in our purpose – to transform people’s experiences and people’s lives through technology, and this drives our purposeful behaviour.