Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell took centre stage yesterday (Sunday, March 21) when he presented a dance teacher with a £500 bursary to help run a dance studio in Moss Side.
City South Manchester Housing Trust resident Pamela Richards, 21, won the bursary as part of a competition launched by Darren Campbell and leading community regeneration specialist Bramall Construction, (part of the Keepmoat group), to give young people educational opportunities in their local community.
Pamela will use the money to buy a new laptop to help operate her dance class 'Future Starz' which gives young people an insight into contemporary dance and choreography at the Millennium Powerhouse youth centre in Raby Street, Moss Side. She also organises family fun days, themed parties and talent shows and is a strong role model for young people in Moss Side.
Darren decided to team up with Salford-based Bramall Construction after supporting the company's jobs drive at the Millennium Powerhouse last year, alongside Big Brother contestant Lisa Huo.
The workshop was organised by Bramall, Manchester City Council, through framework one 2009 and City South Manchester Housing Trust (part of the IMPACT Manchester Framework) to encourage more young people to join the construction industry.
Following the event, Darren Campbell and Bramall Construction teamed up to organise a competition asking young people to write a letter explaining why they deserve a bursary and how they intend to spend it.
Pamela, who lives at Barnhill Street in Moss Side, was crowned the worthy winner as not only does she teach dance on a voluntary basis to around 30 youngsters aged between six and 18, but she also works part time in the Powerhouse library.
She intends to spend the money on buying a new laptop and connecting to the internet to help run her dance sessions more effectively and keep members up to date.
She said: "I'm absolutely delighted to win this award as it will help me run my dance business and has given me a fantastic opportunity to meet Darren Campbell. I admire him greatly and see him as a future role model for young people, especially if they have a vested interest in athletics.
"I intend to use the money to buy a new laptop and pay for the internet which will help me develop my business and support the work I do in my local community.
"As part of my work, I engage a lot with young people and network with agencies linked to the Powerhouse such as the Youth Service, Connexions and the library, to help broaden their educational experience and raise their self esteem. I try and get young people in different workshops through my connections at the Powerhouse such as sessions on the spoken word, poetry, drama, singing and dance."
The Millennium Powerhouse was officially launched as a youth centre by Sir Bobby Charlton in 2000, using a £1.4m grant from the Millennium Commission.
Bramall Construction revamped the Powerhouse last year, kitting it out with an extended library, gym and state-of-the-art kitchen facilities as part of a £780k project, being delivered under Manchester City Council's Framework One Contract.
Commenting on Pamela's achievements, Darren Campbell said: "I'm delighted that Pamela's won this competition as she's doing a lot of very positive things for her wider community and for the Powerhouse in general.
"I am fully behind anyone who wants to help young people reach their full potential and in this case, the bursary is certainly money well spent. I'm glad that our investment will benefit dozens of young people accessing her dance group every week."
As part of the competition, Bramall has also pledged an additional £500 to assist Fallowfield resident Carl Todd who plans to use the money to kick start his own valeting company. The business venture will provide employment opportunities to young people in Moss Side.
Paul Hughes, Bramall Construction's Area Director, said: "We are thrilled to be able to present Pamela with a bursary, which is really well deserved as her dance classes reach out to wide sections of the community and help boost young people's confidence on a weekly basis.
"When we worked with Darren on the competition we wanted to find somebody who cared about their community and Pamela ticked all the right boxes. Not only has she attended the Powerhouse as a member, but she also works in the library, runs dance classes and helps out as a volunteer. We also found Carl very worthy of our investment as his company is a fantastic initiative which will bring about job opportunities.
"Bramall has got a fantastic relationship with the Powerhouse having modernised the building last year and it is equipped with excellent facilities to benefit hundreds of young people for years to come."
Dave Power, Chief Executive of City South Manchester Housing Trust, said: "We are delighted to be working with Bramall Construction to provide this opportunity for two of our tenants who obviously have an entrepreneurial streak. We wish them the best of luck with their ventures."
Keepmoat Homes, Frank Haslam Milan and Bramall Construction are all part of the Keepmoat group
Keepmoat The Waterfront, Lakeside Boulevard, Doncaster, DN4 5PL
Registered in England No. 1998780
Contact Us | Sitemap | Privacy Policy
Website designed by rippleffect
