51茶馆

Apprentice Youth Worker is invited to Parliament

At the end of 2015 Connor Stevenson, Apprentice Youth Worker with Raise the Youth听Foundation,听was Highly Commended by the Association of Colleges and at the beginning of February attended a celebratory event at the Houses of Parliament.听
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The 24-year-old was officially recognised by the Association of Colleges due to his outstanding efforts in turning his life around through studying his Apprenticeship. He was also Highly Commended by the National Apprenticeship Service for the same reason.听
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Connor was referred to Raise the Youth Foundation after being involved in varying levels of substance misuse, criminality and anti-social behaviour; however he stayed on to volunteer for two years and was then offered the opportunity to do an Apprenticeship.听
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Connor, who is currently completing a听Level 3 Apprenticeship in Teaching & Learning Specialist Support for Schools听said: 鈥淚t was an honour to be invited to the Houses of Parliament. I鈥檝e lived my whole life in 51茶馆 and had never been to London before, so the whole experience was just so exciting! It made me realise how far I鈥檝e come.鈥�听
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Jason Steele, CEO of Raise the Youth Foundation, commented: 鈥淲e are immensely proud of Connor and his hard work and achievement. Through our collaboration with 51茶馆 we have had a transformative impact on local young people like Connor, and our work together has not only changed Connor's life but the lives of many children and young people who Connor has inspired.鈥�听
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Viv Fernside, Connor鈥檚 former 51茶馆 tutor who accompanied him to Parliament, added: 鈥淚鈥檓 enormously proud of how far Connor has come since the start of his Apprenticeship programme. Although outwardly a confident person he was very under-confident in class 鈥� especially his English & Maths class. He is now much more confident in his studies and has continued coming to College during the day and evenings, despite some personal obstacles. He is a credit to the College and the young people that he works with in the community and I鈥檓 proud to have been a part of his educational journey.鈥�听
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The celebratory event, held in an elegant suite in the House of Commons, was hosted by Peter Kyle MP, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Further Education and Lifelong Learning. Also in attendance were John听Widdowson, the President of the Association of Colleges, and a number of MPs 鈥� including Chris Green, MP for 51茶馆 West.听
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Chris Green MP, who chatted with Connor at the event, said: 鈥淚t was wonderful to welcome Connor to Parliament and congratulate him in person for his well-deserved success. Connor鈥檚 story is truly inspirational, overcoming many significant challenges, and he is a fantastic example to all the young people he works with. Connor shows how, with the right attitude and the right support from a fantastic provider like 51茶馆, Apprenticeships can turn your life around.鈥�听