Ablaze continues to offer training for our business volunteers on company premises. Until 31 August 2011 Bristol City Council has supported our training costs. Budget cuts at the City Council mean that Ablaze no longer has a dedicated fund for volunteer training events which are often run by freelance trainers. Consequently we are now requesting that businesses accept a charge of £200 per training course.
The Bristol Young Student of the Year Awards is a competition for Post 16 students studying at state schools and colleges in the Bristol region. It is FREE to enter. The aim of these awards is to develop employability skills in young people. To register you interest and to receive further information please visit www.bristolyoungstudent.co.uk
During 2010-11 Ablaze has maintained its support of a high volume of young people across Bristol and during challenging economic times businesses have remained highly supportive in providing volunteers to work with young people on both a 1:1 basis and in leading specific projects.
The improvement trend in achievements in Bristol schools continues on an upward curve.
Ablaze remains sustainable but has to stress that inevitable cuts in local authority grants does lead to a dependency on business donations to meet an ever increasing need in our schools.
Roger Opie, Ablaze CEO was awarded the prestigious Marks and Spencers Sieff Award for community leadership on 6th June, 2011 at the Business in the Community gala dinner. Roger, who has overseen the more than doubling of volunteers in his stewardship, was completely unaware of his nomination. For once he was speechless!
Many thanks to all who sponsored Roger's effort----run completed in 50 minutes-------with gift aid well over £2,000 raised to support the work of Ablaze----we are most grateful"
From 24th February, 2010 ABLAZE is moving from the Learning and Skills Council. TLT solicitors have kindly offered ABLAZE space in their offices at One Redcliff Street in the centre of Bristol.
All contact telephone numbers and email addresses remain the same.
Ablaze now has over 1000 young people in Bristol schools receiving benefit from 1:1 support from business volunteers---either as reading buddies, number partners and through the mentoring programme.
" We regard this as impressive milestone for Ablaze" said Roger Opie, CEO of Ablaze "There is increasing evidence of this support on the impact on the aspirations and attainment of our young people" he continued "but demand for our work outstrips supply and we always need more businessess to get involved"
At the 2009 ABLAZE Celebration Event awards were made to the following outstanding individuals and companies who have been involved in ABLAZE programmes:
Ablaze has worked with BAE Systems to deliver a project which teaches year eight pupils about the key principles of engineering in response to a government call for schools to provide learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Engineers from BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre - usually tasked with developing engineering solutions to support the armed forces and security services - have taken time out of their day jobs over recent months to share their experiences with the 12-13 year olds from Patchway Community College, Bristol Brunel Academy, Filton High School and Marlwood School.
A law firm with a strong commitment to its local community, Burges Salmon LLP is one of Bristol's largest employers.