Social value fund enables Sunderland school children to Prosper
Hundreds of school children across Sunderland are benefitting from an educational programme that inspires them to raise their aspirations, open up to the world of work and equip them with the skills they need for the future.
Thanks to funding from Prosper’s Social Value Dividend Fund, the award-winning Raising Aspirations career programme, delivered by Positive Footprints and client Gentoo, is being delivered in 20 primary and five secondary schools across the city and was developed to inspire their natural talents, believe in themselves and visualise a positive future.
As part of National Careers Week, staff from Prosper joined Gentoo and other local businesses to take part in a career carousel at Dubmire Primary School in Houghton-le-Spring, so students could meet the companies, speak to staff and gain an insight into different sectors through talks and interactive activities.
Business consultancy Prosper, which specialises in the delivery of bespoke end-to-end procurement solutions, issues funding annually to landlord partners from its Social Value Dividend Fund. The amount received is based on the procurement spend with Prosper of each landlord partner enhanced by the addition of a proportion of any surplus Prosper generates. The landlord is free to allocate the dividend spend to Social Value initiatives which best suit the unique needs of their communities.
Prosper has supported Gentoo on a number of procurement frameworks including design and consultancy, planned and responsive repairs and maintenance, new build development and asbestos surveys and asbestos removal. Last year, it awarded Gentoo £21,000 to fund and extend the Raising Aspirations programme for another year in 20 primary schools and the Futures Programme, which is being delivered to five secondary schools.
Dubmire Primary School is one of 20 primaries that has fully embedded the Raising Aspirations programme into their curriculum. Commenting on the programme, James Haste, Director of Property Maintenance at Gentoo, said:
“We are delighted to continue our work with Positive Footprints again this year. It was great to attend the career carousel and see firsthand the impact the programme has had on future generations.
“I have no doubt the children will go on to achieve great things and hope to see a few of them join Gentoo’s workforce in years to come.”
Rod Brasington, CEO of Prosper, said:
“The purpose of our social funding is to improve the communities we serve and it’s great to see Gentoo funding the Raising Aspirations programme and the impact this has on local schools and children across Sunderland.
“We enjoyed meeting the children at the career carousel and speaking to them about their future careers. We are always keen to engage and support our future generation. To date, the total amount of funding issued by Prosper to its landlord partners has exceeded £3 million.”
In addition to Prosper and Gentoo, other companies attending the career carousel included The University of Sunderland, St. Benedict’s Hospice, Wates Group, Equans and Waste Experts.