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Hastings Direct (“HASTINGS”) is ready to Be the Change with Bexhill Academy

Written by: Hastings Direct
Published on: 24 Nov 2015

LoveLocalJobs.com are happy to share the latest news from our Founding Partner Hastings Direct.

Hastings Direct (Hastings) in partnership with LoveLocalJobs.com and social enterprise, Humanutopia, announced a new three year education programme this week for Bexhill Academy called Be the Change

Be the Change is the first programme of its kind in the UK and focuses on raising the aspirations of local year nine students (13 years), helping them to remove barriers that make them disengaged at school and in life and providing them with life skills to help shape their future. It is a detailed and sustainable programme of activity designed to bring young people and business volunteers together on five occasions over the course of the school year, culminating in a celebration event at which the students are presented with certificates and meaningful work experience opportunities.

Amanda Menahem, HR Director, Hastings Direct said "We are proud to be at the forefront of something so transformational for students in our community. We do a lot of work already with our local schools and colleges to help improve employability prospects and indeed a number of local students have gone on to become colleagues.  ‘Be the Change’ offers us the opportunity to help younger people in our community and with our colleagues’ involvement; we hope that we can make a real difference.”

Gary Peters, Chief Executive, LoveLocalJobs.com said: “The ‘Be the Change’ programme focuses on working with young people on what they are able to do, rather than what they cannot do.  During the programme the students will learn valuable skills working with business volunteers to help them prepare for their final years at school and most importantly, for their future. Hastings Direct participating in this ground-breaking initiative has led to local government organisations and other large businesses and educational institutes working to get involved in further Be the Change programmes in Sussex and beyond which is fantastic.”

Graham Moore and Carlo Missirian - Co-founders of Humanutopia said: “Our vision is for every young person to have raised hope and confidence, to have the chance to develop life skills and create positive cycles that will prepare them for life. We believe in putting people first, and the Be the Change programme is a perfect vehicle to work in partnership to help young people develop the qualities and qualifications they need for a better future. Working with corporate volunteers and the invaluable support and belief of Hastings Direct, adds a further dimension and depth to the engagement and journey the young people will experience.”

Trudy Hillman, Head of Pastoral Care for Bexhill Academy concluded: “This is a great opportunity for Bexhill’s young people. The three year programme will give our students the opportunity to learn and put into practise skills that benefit them into further education and employment. Academy staff will be working alongside staff from Humanutopia and Hastings Direct to support Bexhill Academy’s work in raising student aspirations and preparing them as tomorrow’s leaders within the work place. We would like to thank Hastings Direct, LoveLocalJobs.com and Humanutopia for their work with Bexhill Academy and their commitment to our students through the Be The Change Programme.”

ENDS


For more information on the Be the Change programme please visit www.about.lovelocaljobs.com/portfolio-item/be-the-change/ OR Hastings Direct Media Relations Officer: Tel: 01424 735 735 extn. 8225

Natalie Sadlier pr@hastingsdirect.com          

About Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct is one of the fastest growing personal lines insurance providers to the UK market, with 1.9 million customers and employing over 2,000 people at sites in Bexhill, Newmarket, Leicester and Gibraltar.

Voted Car Insurer Provider of the Year for the third year running by the public at the Consumer Moneyfacts Awards, we are an organisation that has built its business by championing the customer through our refreshingly straightforward service and products. We offer car, motorcycle, van and household insurance direct to the public.

Hastings Direct is a trading name of Hastings Insurance Services Limited, which also trades via the “People’s Choice” and “insurePink” brands.

We are a multi award winning business:

  • 2015 Car Insurance Provider of the Year, Consumer Moneyfacts Awards
     (third year running)
  • 2015 UK Broker Awards, Personal Lines Broker of the Year
    (second year running)
  • 2015 'Team of the Year', Financial Experience Awards
  • 2014 British Insurance Awards, Personal Lines Broker of the Year 
  • 2014 HR Excellence Awards, Most Effective Recruitment Strategy 

About LoveLocalJobs.com

LoveLocalJobs.com has an award winning family of regional job boards in Sussex and Surrey. It works proactively to link businesses, universities, colleges and schools, public sector, charities and community groups and other organisations to promote and create local employment opportunities in the South East, whilst also providing much needed careers, information, advice and guidance to local businesses and job-seekers alike.

About Humanutopia

Humanutopia is a social business that creates and runs inspirational courses in schools for students and staff.  Their courses are based on personal, social and workplace skills development, and improve the hope, confidence, happiness, relationships, and employability of participating students. Over the last 11 years Humanutopia have worked with over 200,000 young people, 200 schools, 25,000 adults and 20,000 heroes.