City of Wolverhampton College has been announced as the latest Founder Patron of Wolverhampton’s new Youth Zone – The Way. The college joins a number of local businesses – including Marston’s and Carvers – who have pledged their support to The Way by becoming Founder Patrons. It will be working with the Youth Zone to offer a range of services including careers advice and guidance and counselling to young people.
Students will also be working with the centre by taking part in work experience and volunteering in areas linked to their field of study – these include offering sports coaching, getting involved in the marketing of the centre, delivering theatre workshops and hosting art exhibitions.
Principal Mark Robertson said: “The College is thrilled to become part of such an exciting venture. Seeing the massive support the Youth Zone in Wolverhampton has already had it is clear it’s something that’s going to be really special and inspiring.
“The Way will be a fantastic facility which will enable young people to engage in activities which may not otherwise have been available to them. It promises to be a safe and secure environment which will help young people develop not just the skills they need for their future careers but also social skills.
“There is a fantastic synergy between the college and what The Way is offering. We care about every individual and improving their life chances. We will be exploring all kinds of ways we can do that with the Way and double the power of that transformation we can make to people’s lives.”
The Way’s General Manager, Alice Davey said: “We are delighted that the City of Wolverhampton College is supporting The Way. This will be one of the key partnerships for the Youth Zone and will bring forward an incredible range of opportunities for the young people of Wolverhampton.”
Underpinning the revenue funding from The Way’s Founder Patrons is £5.5 million of capital investment from The Morgan Foundation, The Queen’s Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, Sport England, Garfield Weston, Football Foundation, B E Wedge Holdings Ltd and Keltruck.
The City of Wolverhampton Council is also investing more than £3m in The Way towards the development costs.
