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“I Would Stay There Forever”: The Lasting Impact of Work Experience Week
“If I got to go back to Work Experience Week, I would do. And I would stay there forever.”
The wonderful words of 15-year-old Menna, who joined us for a workplace safari at Newcastle Helix.
She was one of 24 Year 10 students from schools across the North East who joined us in July for the BUILDING BLOCKS Work Experience Week.
When these incredible teenagers first arrived, there was a lot of feet shuffling, heads down, and lack of confidence about what they could do, never mind what they wanted to do in the future.
But by the end of 5 days of interactive sessions and project work, they all gave a presentation in front of a live audience, and blew the businesses at Helix away.
A number of those students – like Menna and her classmate at Walker Riverside Academy, Kevin (both pictured) – then continued to be supported by one of our collaborators, the charity MyBigCareer.
This led to another public speaking event at the Northern Stage, where they spoke to funders and businesses from across the region about the importance of meeting founders and employees in real life. Kevin said taking part in the Helix Huddle networking event gave him the confidence to pursue his own entrepreneurial dreams. He sold out his entire skatewear stock over the summer!
Charlie Charlton, Director of Engagement at Newcastle Helix, provided the opening address at the event.
Focusing on the importance of social mobility, she talked through the impact of the following statistics:
30% of babies, children and young people across the North East are living in poverty.
64% of them are in working families – where at least one parent is IN work.
Social mobility is greatly influenced by where you live, but Charlie was keen to point out that
"talent has no postcode, so it's our duty to work together to broaden opportunities for all, and grow the region's economy."
This work shows the true value of collaboration and community – massive thanks to Jayne Lyell of MyBigCareer for all her hard work beyond the ice-breakers. Here’s to next year!
