357 Made in Britain: Skills and talent development


Providing support


through collaboration Merseyside’s Oakmere Community College has partnered with another local charity to support youngsters in need


S


upporting its students is the aim of any educational establishment, but Oakmere Community College—a


registered charity based in Liverpool—goes above and beyond the norm. “We work with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged,” says Principal Julie Mousley-Dean. “Tere’s nothing else out there for many young people—if they weren’t with us, they’d be on the street. We change lives every day.” As an example, Mousley-Dean notes a 16-year-old girl


whose parents are heroin abusers. Until recently, the girl’s older sister had taken charge, making sure that the three younger siblings were fed, safe and attending school. “Te sister suddenly disappeared, however, leaving our student with this on her shoulders,” she says. “Te girl was so scared and overwhelmed that she was literally going to jump off the car-park building.” Fortunately, the staff at Oakmere persuaded her to talk about


the situation. Now the college helps by providing free meals for the family. “Tey’re given a box of leftovers from the canteen every day,” says Mousley-Dean. “We also provide a washing machine, an ironing board, a tumble dryer and showers onsite for learners.”


Authentic engagement Working to extend its educational and pastoral offering for a broader range of young people in need, Oakmere has recently effected significant collaboration with Local Solutions, a charity that supports people in Merseyside and North Wales. “Local Solutions provides non-educational support,


which includes accommodation and mentoring,” says its Chief Executive Steve Hawkins. “Tis is an authentic engagement between two organisations who have been working very hard in the same community for around 40 years. We share heritage, values and a strong work ethic.” Tis concerted effort is crucial as many of Oakmere’s


young people require support for a range of issues. “Many have problems at home or special needs that are undiagnosed, such as dyslexia or Asperger’s,” says Mousley-Dean. “Many have attitude issues or have been excluded from pupil referral units. We have young people that are taken from their parents because they’re at risk of sexual or physical abuse. One of our learners was gang raped at 15 and is now pregnant as a result. So, for us, it’s about


coaching, mentoring and offering support as much as providing an education. We work with the police, social services and youth offending teams to do so.”


Health and happiness Classes at Oakmere are small, with one teacher to a maximum of 10 students. Courses include those in the vocational field, such as dance, hair and beauty, motor vehicle maintenance, sport, uniformed services, catering, construction and plumbing. “However, we want students to have English and maths so they can move on to further education or jobs,” says Mousley-Dean. “We’re taking them in off the street and helping them to become active citizens.” In addition, Oakmere and Local Solutions prioritise the health and happiness of its young people. Both charities offer advice in accessing benefits and sexual health advice. Local Solutions also has an impressive water sports facility, leading-edge domestic violence services, a helpline for victims of hate crime and a mentoring programme called Bully Busters, which counteracts cyberbullying and teaches people how to stay safe online. Oakmere boasts AstroTurf pitches, a nursery, pool, climbing wall, gym, scuba diving centre and the “fill ’n’ chill” cafe. Te impact has been significant. Although the situation hasn’t


changed at the home of the 16-year-old girl first cited, “she’s now starting to think positively about her future,” says Mousley-Dean. “All we can do—and what we will continue to do in future—is to give her, and others in need, access to the support and resources that will enable them to feel safe and to achieve their potential.” — www.oakmere.net


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