E-ACT Blackley Academy has been recognised for its work in developing an all-inclusive community hub which offers a wide range of support and services to local people. We are delighted that the academy has been shortlisted for a Tes Schools Award for this incredible work.
About E-ACT Blackley Academy
E-ACT Blackley Academy acknowledge that engaging with the community and creating links is a key priority. Many staff members were born and raised in the local community and now have the opportunity to be the teachers they never had growing up.
The academy engages with the community as much as they can through local charities and events. Over the last few years, the academy has raised funds which go to local charities such as the British Heart foundation, CALM, Brain Tumour Research, Francis House, RNIB and many more. The charities are invited into the academy for a celebration event where they are presented with big cheques and are informed of how the funds were raised.
James Hughes, headteacher, is an avid supporter of connecting with the community. He says: “Many of us (the staff) are from this community, brought up in this community and lived in this community all our lives. We’ve got that infinity with the families and there’s so much pride in this community, it’s an amazing place to live and work.”.
About the Hub
In 2021, a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the academy initiated research into how the community were coping but it was discovered that the families and other community members had little access to the support and advice that they needed.
Tunde King, the devoted leader of the E-ACT Blackley Community Hub collected all of the data and decided to create a hub where the community can access support and services. Tunde organised free weekly workshops to take place at the hub where advisors on financial support, wellbeing, health services, addiction support, employability skills and fitness would all be available to talk to.
It was also a key priority that the community hub will be a place where you can make friends, have free refreshments or lunch and talk about life itself with people in similar positions.
The E-ACT Blackley Community Hub was launched in 2021 on the premises of St Paul C Of E Church where weekly sessions are held. Everyone in the community is welcome no matter what background they come from.
Tunde King says “The local school and church are both thrilled that, alongside a range of incredible organisations and agencies, they have been able to set up a community hub to deliver much-needed support and contribute positively to the people of Blackley.”
Good luck to E-ACT Blackley Academy At the upcoming Tes Awards night on Friday 23 June!
The post E-ACT Blackley Academy is shortlisted for the Community Engagement Tes Schools Award 2023 appeared first on E-ACT.
