Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles and newly appointed Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, visited Mossfield Primary School in Salford today, to learn how teams of young people are pioneering a new way of making a difference to pupils across Greater Manchester and becoming ‘future fit’ for the job market.
Ms Long-Bailey met six young people who are volunteering full-time at the school, Monday to Thursday, through City Year Greater Manchester, part of youth social action charity City Year UK.
The 18 to 25-year-olds have taken up the challenge of a ‘year of service’, to help tackle educational inequality in their city and gain front line experience and stand out skills at the same time. The development of its volunteers is an important part of the programme, both through the impact they make on children’s lives, and training, coaching and networking opportunities which take place every Friday.
Dave Magee, Headteacher of Mossfield Primary School said: ”City Year has been at Mossfield for two terms and we’ve already seen the impact. The volunteers get involved in a whole host of ways – from organising extra-curricular activities, to giving one-to-one tutoring and more general in-class support.
“But more than that, they bring their positivity, enthusiasm and can-do attitude to the whole school. They’re inspirational role models for our children, helping us to create the happy school environment, that’s so important for pupils to thrive.”
Ms Long-Bailey also heard how, building on the success of its first year, City Year Greater Manchester has plans to grow from the current 35 volunteers to 50 volunteers with placements available starting this August.
Ms Long-Bailey said: “Times are tough for young people – they’re worried about getting on the job ladder. What impresses me about City Year UK is that by giving its volunteers the opportunity to serve their communities for a year, these young people are not only having a huge impact on pupils, but they gain leadership and employability skills that will serve them well in any career.
“The knowledge that they’ve made a difference is also incredibly empowering. I’ve heard how City Year’s given them confidence and a stake in society. I think I’ve just met some of our future social leaders!”
Kalisha Patel, one of the City Year Greater Manchester volunteers at Mossfield Primary, said: “City Year has been such a valuable experience and I’m proud of the impact we’ve made on the children in school. I’ve developed so many skills and had a number of great opportunities. I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Her teammate, Naomi Dean, added: “City Year has made a really positive impact on our school and has shown me that I can make a difference to children’s lives. I’m so proud of all the children I support and what they have achieved while I’ve been here. It has also developed me; I am more confident, have gained more skills and now put myself forward for far more opportunities.”
Rekha Patel-Harrison, Head of Site at City Year Greater Manchester, said: “We’re delighted that Rebecca Long-Bailey was able to join some of our volunteers at Mossfield Primary School today and hear about both their achievements in school and their own personal journeys this year. Many join because they care deeply about tackling educational inequality in their community, but what they don’t realise when they start is how much City Year will change them.
They discover they’re capable of much more than they ever expected, they learn how to grasp every opportunity with confidence and they broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.”
