Who Does What

This is a list of the 'off the self' programmes that we deliver. There are other bespoke services and we also broker or deliver interventions that businesses may wish to offer.

We are currently in the process of editing and updating all of these descriptions, so here's the disclaimer: it may not be accurate, but it is pretty close - mostly the problem is that we have developed so much over the last couple of years that the list is incomplete.

Watch this space!

Aim Higher

ABLAZE is delivering the national Aim Higher programme in Bristol secondary schools during 2010/11.

Higher education is open to anyone with the ability to succeed—whatever their background.

The Aim Higher programme aims to ensure that everyone is aware of this—and of the range of course options that can help people study in a way that suits them.

Activities supported by the programme include:

CV Writing and Interview Skills

In order to succeed in the transition from school or college to the world of work, young people should have a good understanding of business requirements and the skills and attitudes needed for a rewarding career. By working with schools, business volunteers can help students better understand which skills are most valued and what a business expects from its employees.

Literacy Activity

Take the World of Work into the Classroom

Teachers will plan lessons that use an exploration of the jobs and roles people can have in life to both inform and to improve the children's interviewing and communication skills. The outcome can be an extended piece of research, writing and presentation by the children.

Volunteers for this activity are a first hand stimulus for children to find out the facts about different jobs for themselves. Children will learn how to turn their raw research into a published communication for their peers.

Mentor a Teenager

This Secondary School programme is for young people who are nearing their GCSE exams. The adult mentor supports the young person by working with them on a variety of topics aimed at helping them understand and achieve their potential. Meeting timing and frequency are agreed between the mentor and mentee.

Evidence shows, that for some young people a mentor can be a lifeline to achieving potential. This can be measured in terms of academic attainment and social and emotional well being.

My Future My Choice

 My Future My Choice is a programme which opens the minds of children and young people to the vast range of exciting opportunities available to them in the future.

It currently works with two different age groups.

My Future My Choice Classroom Activity - for 10 and 11 year olds in Year 6 giving them the chance to explore opportunities for their futures. A volunteer from the world of work visits the school for a classroom lesson in conjunction with the teacher.

My Future My Choice Classroom and Work Place Visits

Help to excite children about their future and encourage them to aim higher by exploring their options. Children really benefit from meeting new people outside of their normal experience, enabling them to understand about a wider world and start thinking about their personal aspirations. The classroom activities take about an hour plus travel time. Visits to the workplace can be tailored to suit the business.

This is part of the My Future My Choice programme.

Reading Buddies and Number Partners - Improve Literacy and Numeracy

The Reading Buddies and Number Partners programmes are aimed at Primary School children. A business volunteer is partnered with a child to read together or play maths games for 30 minute/ 1 hour sessions usually during lunchtime, weekly or fortnightly.

Share Business and Leadership Skills

The central aim of any school is to provide the finest education possible for its pupils and ensure that they leave formal education with the skills for life and employability that will enable them to maximise their full potential.

For a school to operate successfully and achieve its aims, it needs an effective organisation and strong infrastructure, just like any productive business.

There are many skills that business can share with education including Management, Marketing, HR, Project and Change Management, Finance - and business can learn from schools too!

Work Place Visits

Invite a group of children to your workplace

One of the simplest ways to introduce young people to the ‘World of Work' is to invite them to your workplace. This is especially important for those whose parents are either unemployed or who work in an environment where they can't take their son or daughter for a visit.