The LACET was set up in September 2011 with the sole intention of providing greater opportunities to engage children and young people, in or from care, in Employability, Education or Training.

The initiative, supported through a partnership with Brathay Trust, instigated a pilot programme, earlier this year, with the objective of helping Care Leavers to access meaningful Local Authority placements before hopefully securing a job, access onto a course or an Apprenticeship.

The ‘Status Update’ programme was designed as a four stage pilot. Successful completion of the initial Personal Development module, with us, underpins the Preparation for Work module, a Placement/Internship module and ultimately the potential of an Apprenticeship.

Thirteen 16-19 year-olds attended the initial 8 week Personal Development module delivered by our highly skilled team. This work helped to increase the group’s self-esteem, self-confidence and raised their aspirations helping them to realise that they might have a choice to be better, rather than assuming “I am how I am”. Indeed following this module three of the group secured themselves a job or a place on a training course.

The Preparation for Work module will be followed by an 8 week paid placement within Wirral Local Authority and Care Leavers are guaranteed access to a Peer Mentor, and other key staff, during their placement.

And to celebrate the successful completion of stages 1and 2 of the programme, and to launch their placement/internship module, all participants are set to enjoy a ‘Celebration Evening’ at Wallasey Town Hall, Wirral, on Thursday 19 April, 2012, at 6pm-8pm.

Gareth Jones, Looked After Children Participation and Progression Manager said: “I’m really pleased with how the programme has gone and you can really see the difference in the young people. They have shown great dedication and commitment and are a credit to themselves in the way in which they have conducted themselves and the work they have put into the programme so far. Brathay has been a fantastic partner for us and they have delivered an exceptional personal development and confidence building module. They have also significantly raised the aspirations of the young people on the programme. The residential at Brathay’s training HQ has been particularly beneficial to the young people and I’m sure that if they continue to apply themselves then they will all be very successful in the future.”

Karen May, Development Manager from Brathay Trust, said: “I’m delighted that most of the group has progressed through the Status Update programme and I’m sure that they will thoroughly enjoy their celebration event with Council staff, friends, family and the employers who will be facilitating their internship. There are some great partners from within the Local Authority including the Leisure & Community Services, Invest Wirral and the Parks and Gardens Department. The experience gained through their Internships will be invaluable in moving this group of young people, hopefully, into an Apprenticeship.”

The programme has also attracted private sector partners such as Sainsbury’s, Regal Wholesale and social housing project, Wirral Partnership Homes.

With the high numbers of Care Leavers who are classified as NEET (not in employment, education or training) the Status Update programme couldn’t have come at a better time for young Care Leavers on the Wirral.

Designed to encourage young people who would not normally be considered for an apprenticeship, or who may find it difficult to secure a job, into vocational education and training, the programme has been created through a partnership with Preston College and NHS Primary Care Trust (West Lancashire).

From over 30 hopefuls 12 young people made it through a Recruitment Day, at Browns Nightclub in Preston, in November last year, to secure one of the highly prized places on the Status Update programme.

After being enrolled onto the course the group immediately began the 7 month programme which includes two days a week in Preston College and several inspirational residential visits to our Ambleside training HQ, Brathay Hall, in Cumbria.

Each student has benefited from a personal mentor to ensure that they have every chance of successfully completing the programme.

And managers and mentors alike are delighted that, four months into the programme, 11 of those who initially enrolled remain committed to completing the course. This will see them gain a City & Guilds Skills for Working Life qualification.

Anne Hall, Programme Coordinator from Brathay said: “One of those originally selected onto the course has already secured an Apprenticeship, which is fantastic. We’re convinced the work that she did with us helped to prepare her for her Apprenticeship whilst the other young people, on the course, are really benefiting from the personal development and the close 1:1 mentoring that we’re providing.”

The group have already attended 3 residentials at Brathay Hall. The initial meeting was a Get to Know Each Other event which was followed up by a residential aimed at helping the group to understand how to manage distractions and make positive choices. More recently they attended a residential designed to enable the students to work as part of a group.

An element of the latest residential was given over to an Earth, Wind and Fire day, where students had to ignite a fire using just the outdoor elements and a variety of implements, to spark the initial flame. The day was used as a metaphor for getting a job; explaining that you have to take time, plan, think and work at it if you want to be successful.

Mohammed Ahamed, a student on the programme, from Deepdale, Preston, said: “I love everything about this programme. It’s really easy to get dejected and switch off, but this course has kept me focused on training and getting a job. The residentials have been brilliant and have helped me to work within a team, appreciate the opinion of others and realise that things don’t just happen, you have to work at it.”

The Status Update Pre-Apprenticeship programme is an excellent example of a private/public/charity partnership and is the first of its kind in the country. Successful evaluation of the programme, at its conclusion, by our Research Hub could see the programme being rolled out nationally, helping to reduce the number of 16-24 year-olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), throughout the country, in the process.

In light of last year’s publication of a startling report, which indicates that as many as 25% of 16-24 year-olds, in certain parts of the Northwest region, are classed as NEET, the programme couldn’t have come at a better time for young people in Preston and the surrounding area.

For more information please contact Karen May.

Although we have just over 1,000 runners set to start the marathon, from our Brathay Hall HQ in Ambleside, on Sunday 20 May, Race Director Scott Umpleby, is determined to push for even greater numbers of entries in order to raise much needed cash that will allow us to continue helping young people to become successful, confident and responsible citizens.

Scott said: “This is arguably one of the most scenic and challenging marathons in Europe with runners having to complete a gruelling 26.2 mile course that is defined by its undulating nature. Clearly people love it as we were recently voted second best marathon in the UK behind the Snowdonia marathon, in Gwynedd, Wales. Runners tell us that they not only adore the scenery but that they also appreciate the extremely professional way in which we organise the event. We certainly take the time to cater for their every need.”

The number of Course Marshals in attendance makes it an extremely safe event, whilst the fishing line, on the Brathay Hall lawn overlooking Windermere, is arguably the most scenic finishing line in the world.

The marathon originally began in 1982 when a group of local runners and volunteers came together to form a Windermere Marathon Committee.

This group of enthusiasts included: Alan Dodds from Windermere Rotary Club, John Nettleton from Kendal AC, Pete Bland, Chairman of Kendal AC and his wife Anne Bland who subsequently won the ladies title twice in 1984 and ’86. They were also joined by Chris Brasher, who went on to create the London Marathon. The inaugural Windermere Marathon attracted 2,600 entries.

The original marathon ran from 1982-86 and we revived the event in 2007.

Scott is convinced that entry fees are value for money: “It would be great if we could secure another couple of hundred more entries. If prospective runners are affiliated to UK Athletics entry is just £33.00 whilst non-affiliated runners pay £35.00. Clearly this would not only enable runners to experience one of the great marathon runs, but would also help to generate much needed cash to help us continue our invaluable work with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people.”

Currently we have received 1,017 entries but we have the capacity to accommodate several hundred more runners.
Scott concluded: “We’re the only charity that organises a major sporting event as its major fundraiser and anyone who takes part can rest assured that they are making a little bit of history. The event is governed by UK Athletics and all those who finish the course will have their times recorded for posterity.”

Click here to visit our dedicated marathon website for details on how to enter!

An avid Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter, as a child, his love of all things football continued into adulthood and he became a regular face on the terraces of Molineux Stadium, even becoming a season ticket holder in his teens.

The thought of playing any sport, other than football, was anathema to him. In his mind running was only ever to be undertaken with a ball!

In his youth he could never have imagined how his aspirations would change and how the golden hue of the Wolves shirt would give way to a love of the breathability and wicking to be found in a ‘Running Vest’!

David hated running and cross country at school and although he did occasionally take part in the High Jump, football remained his passion. He could always be found organising games in the playground or on the school football pitches.

But as the years rolled by and as it became apparent that David wasn’t going to become the next Steve Bull, his opinions on running began to change. Like many who come to the sport late in life it was a gradual process. But it was inevitable that a slow initiation would be overtaken by an inexorable urge to run. It all began innocuously enough when, in 2005, David entered the New York Marathon as a 32 year-old.

As David explained: “I stumbled across an advert for the marathon and in it there was a competition to win a trip, to the Big Apple, to watch the race. Unfortunately I didn’t win the prize but I decided to enter the marathon anyway, as part of a birthday trip.”

The rest as they say is history, as David continued: “I’d done a little preparation for the New York marathon but not a lot. But I was really taken back by how much I enjoyed it; I really didn’t think I would get that much of a buzz from completing the course. It was at that moment, when I crossed the line that I realised that I was hooked.”

Work had taken David from his beloved Black Country to Milton Keynes. So on his return, from his first ever marathon, he joined MK Lakeside Runners where he began to pound the pavements around the new town, that lies 49 miles north-west of London.

As he began clocking up the miles around the world, by competing in the Paris, Florence, Amsterdam and Las Vegas marathons, and as his body became hooked on endorphins, he started to look for his next big challenge. And it was at this point, in his running career, that in 2009 he heard about arguably the greatest endurance run in the world, the Brathay 10in10!

Designed for dedicated endurance athletes the Brathay 10in10 competitors complete a 26.2 mile marathon course around Lake Windermere, in Cumbria, ten times, over ten consecutive days; a total of 262 miles! Governed by UK Athletics it is the first and only event of its kind in the world.

As soon as David became aware of the event, which was created in 2007, he was determined to secure entry to it.

“I knew it would be an incredible challenge as the undulating nature of the course makes it extremely difficult to complete once, let alone ten times over ten days. However, when I finally got to run it I found that I loved the whole experience. By day five I was surprised that I hadn’t deteriorated that much. At that point I knew that I would complete the challenge and that I would want to do it again.”

And that’s exactly what he did going on to finish the event in 2010 and again in 2011.

“I knew what I was letting myself in for in 2010 and as a result I completed the challenge in my quickest time. Then last year I was all geared up to beat my personal best but I ruptured my medial collateral ligament. As a result I had to run very carefully just to complete the 10in10. Had it been a normal marathon I would have retired from the race but I couldn’t not complete a hat-trick of 10in10s.”

His recuperation from his injury was slow and frustrating. He had to suffer an enforced lay-off before beginning training again with just 2-3 mile runs a day.

However, now back to full fitness David is chomping at the bit and is eager to become only the second person in the world to officially complete four 10in10s. If he makes it to the finishing line, on Sunday 20 May, he will join the much venerated Steve Edwards as the only two people alive to have completed the muscle sapping, mind blowing feat.

“If I do complete my fourth 10in10 I know that I’ll want to be the first person on the planet to complete five” explained David. “Even I find it hard to believe how my life has changed. Although I still love football I follow all the great distance runners now. I’ve completed 124 marathons to date and if I complete this year’s 10in10 I’ll have done something that, in all probability, even my running heroes will never equal. And if I do match Steve’s world record I’ll be looking to beat it in 2013.”

The first event of its kind in the world theTwitterthon has been created by Milano City Marathon and was launched on March 19th, 2012. Each of the 26 participating marathons will forward/tweet a Message of Hope to a specific marathon, over 26 days, until the final message is sent back to Milano City Marathon on April 13th.

The aim of the ground breaking Twitterthon is to recognise the origins of the marathon and encourage different nations to think of themselves as a global family.

The Twitterthon will see us team up with some truly iconic marathons including:

• Australia – Solar Eclipse Marathon
• China – Great Wall Marathon
• Canada – BMO Vancouver Marathon
• USA – Wipro San Francisco Marathon
• Greenland – Polar Circle Marathon
• Germany – BMW Berlin Marathon

Mark Bushell from Brathay Trust said: “From the Long Beach Marathon, in California, to the Entabeni Games Reserve Marathon, in South Africa, we will be partnering with some magnificent global marathons to inspire people around the world. I’m sure that this unique Twitterthon will raise the profile of the ‘Marathon’, as an event, and help people to appreciate that they are part of a global family.”

And in recognition of the invaluable work that we do, with children and young people, our Message of Hope reads; If we run life’s race together, we can inspire children and young people to fulfil their potential.

As Bushell explained: “We received our Message of Hope, on Monday 26 March, from the Petra Marathon in Jordan, and this was the signal for us to Tweet our message, on Tuesday 27 March, to the Reggae Marathon in Jamaica. This is a fantastic initiative and I would urge our followers, on Twitter, to retweet to their contacts. However, they must remember to use the hashtag #MCM2012.”

One of our lucky Tweeters, who includes the hashtag in the most number of retweets, will be awarded a Barclays Milano Marathon goody bag which will include, amongst other things: sports socks, a tracksuit, a running vest and shirt, baseball cap and shorts.

And if that isn’t enough to get our followers into a Tweeting frenzy at the end of the Twitterthon the most avid supporter will win the Grand Prize of: Two flights to Milan for the 2013 Milano City Marathon, plus full VIP treatment including access to the gala dinner and hospitality areas.

Bushell concluded: “Our followers can tweet until Friday 13 April, just two days before the Milano Marathon on Sunday 15 April, so there’s plenty of time for them to register the most number of tweets and secure VIP access to the Milano Marathon next year.”

Those lucky enough to attend this year’s event will, hopefully, get the opportunity to see our Message of Hope painted onto a number of sky lanterns which will be released across the city on Saturday 14 April.

The Brathay Windermere Marathon takes place on Sunday 20 May 2012.

So we’re delighted to be able to offer affordable commercial office space on the stunning Brathay Hall estate. Set in 360 acres of mature woodland and surrounded by wonderful scenery, the office space is just minutes from the village of Ambleside.

The property comprises: 2 offices, kitchen, dining/rest area and WC. Office 1 is approximately 2.7m x 3.75m, is light and airy, partly furnished and would suit 2/3 people. Office 2 is large room, approximately 5.5m x 4.5m, with plenty of natural sunlight, having windows on opposing walls, is partly furnished, has good storage space and would be suitable for 6/8 people.

The kitchen and dining/rest area is approximately 4m x 4.5m and is designed in a relaxed open plan style. The area benefits from windows on opposing sides which allows copious natural sunlight. The kitchen includes ample storage and cupboard space and a fridge.

The property also benefits from a nearby car park and enjoys good access for deliveries, customers and staff.

Whilst the site benefits from a peaceful and relaxed ambience, in a rural location, the beauty of our estate is that its isolation is perfectly balanced by its accessibility. Only 15 minutes drive from the National Rail station in Windermere, Brathay Hall is also just 25 minutes drive from the M6.

So you will continue to enjoy good proximity to customers, markets, suppliers, competitors and staff.

Our rates also include all utilities. So whether you are just starting up, moving to a new area or expanding we’re convinced that our space would be suitable for your business.

For further information or to arrange a visit email Daniel May our Facilities Manager or call him on 0844 225 3100 or 07739 646136.

Over recent years our research activities have enhanced our relationship with the University and our work with them has helped us to draw together insight and knowledge in the areas of education, youth work and management learning and allowed us to provide enhanced impact evaluations of our programmes, bespoke research, research commissions and young research programmes.

In 2010 the University employed a Research Practice Leader under a ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ (KTP) to work with us, with the aim that the KTP support us to develop and embed a sustainable research and evaluation strategy. This has enabled us to better evidence the impact of our practice and continue to learn and develop it.

Karen Stuart, Research Practice Lead for the KTP said: “Historically there have been a number of areas where the University of Cumbria and Brathay Trust have worked together but it is the work under the KTP that has led to the Strategic Partnership being formalised. As a result we have signed a memorandum of understanding that states an explicit intention of the two organisations working together for mutual support and benefit.”

And to celebrate the partnership we’re pleased to say that there are a number of exciting new projects that will begin within the next 12 months including the creation of an art installation, around the time of the 2013 Brathay Windermere Marathon, and a Wellbeing conference to coincide with the University of Cumbria’s Research Festival next year.

We have joined forces with the National Citizen Service (NCS) and Catch 22, to supply appropriate organisations with young volunteers, all of whom will be eager to make a positive contribution to the community in which they live.

NCS gives young people in Year 11, from all backgrounds and with varying abilities, the opportunity, along with the necessary support, to take on new challenges, learn new skills and make a positive contribution to society.

The young volunteers, under the supervision of our highly experienced team of youth workers, will offer a minimum of 40 hours of support to needy organisations located in South Liverpool, Halton and South Sefton. Whether it’s support for a specific project or a community based activity, over the summer months, we will be the conduit to access resource from over 2,600 young volunteers.

And to launch the partnership, in Merseyside, the Brathay team have organised a Spring Into Action day, on Thursday April 5th , where members of the team, adorned in highly visible Brathay T-shirts and badges, will be collecting money on the streets of South Liverpool and raising awareness of the initiative amongst the general public.

Sean Atkins, Senior Youth Worker with Brathay said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for community and voluntary sector organisations to tap into a brilliant human resource. We can offer one off volunteering days, during our social action week later in the year, or we can work on larger projects that could last up to four weeks.”

So if your group or organisation would like to get involved, or would simply like more information, we would urge you to get in touch. Whatever your proposal we’d like to hear from you.

As Sean concluded: “We’d be happy to have informal meetings, with potential beneficiaries, to discuss any ideas that they have. If we like the idea we would invite them to submit a formal application. However, from those proposals that we receive it will be the young people themselves who choose which projects they are going to support.”

Supporting Information

• National Citizen Service Poster
• Brathay National Citizen Service Information

For further information email Sean or telephone him on 0844 225 3100.

The Brathay Apprentice Challenge pitted eight teams of apprentices against each other in a range of challenges designed to test young people’s business acumen, team working and even physical endurance.

The finals, at our Cumbrian training HQ, saw the Cobham team narrowly beat seven other teams from Balfour Beatty, Bentley Motors, the Co-operative, MBDA Missile Systems, the National Apprenticeship Service, Rolls-Royce and Virgin Media.

The final day of challenges tested teams’ problem solving and physical endurance, culminating in a 10-mile whaler boat race across Lake Windermere and built on six weeks of fundraising and communications challenges.

The Cobham team raised almost £4,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation by cycling around the Isle of Wight, hitchhiking from Dorset to Cumbria and other fundraising activities. In addition, the team secured support from celebrities, including Matt Cardle, conducted talks in schools and raised the profile of the competition on Twitter and Facebook.

Team captain, Nick Shipp, said: “It’s a real honour to have won the Brathay Apprentice Challenge. It’s been a tough competition, with the other teams really pushing us to the limit. We’re really proud of our achievement, not only at the finals in Cumbria, but also in raising £4,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation.”

Gerry Bishop MBE, Employee Development Manager, congratulated their apprentices and said: “Our apprentices are an integral part of our talent pipeline and the future of our company and indeed the whole industry. We’re thrilled to have come away with the top prize against formidable opposition – it’s a hugely positive sign for the future of Cobham that our apprentices are already showing they’re the best in the country.”

Jaine Bolton, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, presented the awards to the winning team and said: “Team Cobham are an example of how, in this new era of higher quality Apprenticeships, young people can really help the nation’s businesses grow. The winners are a real asset to their company and the Brathay Apprentice Challenge has been a fantastic way to recognise the incredible talent and success of the nation’s apprentices.”

Jez Anderson from Brathay Trust, commented: “The Challenge has recognised the vital role apprentices play at their firms and also helped the competitors’ personal development. The search for the apprentice team of the year has not only demonstrated the formidable skills of the nation’s apprentices, but helped demonstrate the range of careers available to young people.”

Watch a video of the event below:

[iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mnm8GT08bp4" height="335" width="600"]

Employers interested in entering a team in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2013 should email Jez Anderson or tweet @brathay_bac

To find out about Apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600.

In scenes not unlike those in the evocative cinema production, Field of Dreams, vehicles began to worm their way up the Brathay Hall drive, each containing competitors eager to begin the finale of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge.

No sooner had the enthusiastic apprentices checked into their rooms then they were being guided, by our facilitators, to a variety of team building exercises ahead of the final day of challenges today (16 March).

As the aforementioned badgers retreated to their sets, for a quite night indoors, teams of apprentices from the likes of Rolls Royce, Virgin Media and Bentley, could be seen performing a variety of exercises on the front lawn of the Hall.

Undeterred by the light drizzle the 64 competitors refused to let the Cumbrian climate dampen their enthusiasm. The excitable babble that echoed around all corners of the estate was surely a sign of what was to come.

The sight of the young apprentices busying themselves, in the molasses like darkness of an Ambleside winter evening, was a sight to behold. The assorted torches and searchlights gave the group the look of a cloud of oversized fireflies.

What was evident, for all to see, was the fiercely determined professionalism of each of the eight competing teams. It was clear, from overhearing the conversations of competitors, that last night’s preparations were not a place for idle chit chat. It was an evening of focus on the challenges ahead with many believing that the Brathay Apprentice Challenge will be a ‘rites of passage’ to a fulfilling career.

And so it began. In the next 24 hours adrenalin will corse through the veins of competitors and spectators alike as teams battle to overcome personal phobias and fears. They will work seamlessly as teams, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit to become the best Apprentice team in the country.

For information on how to take part in the 2013 Brathay Apprentice Challenge telephone Jez Anderson on 0844 225 3100.