Rotherham charity funding boost to help teens 'get sorted' with numeracy

Britannia, the Co-operative Financial Services, recently made a donation to Get Sorted to help young people develop their basic skills! Here is the article about the donations taken from the Co-op's own website!

A Rotherham charity has received a funding boost of almost £9,500 from Britannia, part of The Co-operative Financial Services, to launch a new programme to boost numeracy and literacy skills of young people in the town.

The donation, made by the financial services provider’s charitable Foundation, will enable Get Sorted Music to initially reach around 80 young people, using song writing skills, rap music, poems and counting beats to engage under 19 year-olds in its creative and innovative education programme.

Figures show that at the end of 2010, over 12 per cent of 18-year-olds were not in education, employment or training*.

Graham Sutherland, project manager at Get Sorted Music, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our application to Britannia’s charitable Foundation, we are always exploring new ways to challenge and engage our students and, we are all excited about the launch of our numeracy and literacy programme in the new academic year - it will reach across communities, breaking down barriers and engaging with hard to reach young people who, we hope, will then move on to other forms of education and accredited courses.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation is one way the member-owned financial services provider gives back to the communities it serves. Elaine Clews, manager of Britannia’s charitable Foundation, added: “Developing literacy and numeracy skills underpins everyday activities and, can lay strong foundations for good financial capability and money management in later life.

“Britannia is very much a community business itself and, through its charitable Foundation, can make real and lasting differences to local communities and it is delighted to have been able to support the initiatives of Get Sorted Music designed to raise levels of enthusiasm, confidence and understanding in this key area.”

Britannia’s charitable Foundation welcomes applications from other voluntary groups, charities and schools - it supports projects to promote improvements to education, with a particular focus on numeracy and financial capability.

For further information about Britannia’s charitable Foundation, visit any Britannia branch, go to www.britannia.co.uk or, call Elaine Clews, Britannia’s charitable Foundation Manager, on 01538 391806.