Leading independent school, Employability Solutions has launched a new community fund to honour the memory of three former students who lost their lives in tragic circumstances.
The Platform for Change Legacy Fund has been set up in remembrance of three young men – Brandon Regan, 17, Daniel Jamieson, 16, and Jamie Buckley, 18. Brandon and Daniel were both victims of knife crime.
With the full support of their parents’, the new fund will award three grants of up to £1,000 each year to a young person who will promote the education, safety and mental health of their peers within their local communities.
It comes as Employability Solutions celebrates its 10th anniversary with a huge ambition for the next ten years to create safer communities. Founded by Claire Cook, proprietor and Nadia Miller, director of student services, the organisation has transformed the lives of over 2,000 young people across two schools in Garston in Liverpool, and Kirklees in West Yorkshire, with 8,000 qualifications achieved in that time.
Speaking about the Platform for Change Legacy Fund, Claire Cook, founder and proprietor of Employability Solutions, said:
“Bran, Danny and Jamie have never been forgotten by us and with the blessing of their parents Mandy, Julie and Donna, we want to make sure they are always remembered.
“We know ourselves how much investments like this can help people transform their future. Our business began with a small start-up grant, and so we are looking forward to being able to give back and afford opportunities to those who may usually miss out due to financial barriers.
We are also inviting members of the local community to contribute and invest in the fund in the name of Bran, Danny and Jamie.
Claire added:
“10 years ago, Nadia and I set out on a mission to transform the lives of young people and promote resilience through specialist alternative education. Today, Employability Solutions has grown its impact across Merseyside and West Yorkshire, empowering the lives of over 2,000 young people to date.
“However, our job is not done. We have huge ambitions for the next 10 years, ready to take on the challenge of creating safe communities, and we hope the local community will work with us to achieve this mission.”
As part of the anniversary, Employability Solutions have created a social art exhibition. Inspired by Humans of New York, the 20-image exhibition, called ‘Humans of ES’ was photographed by managing director, Chris Chinnock, and aims to convey the social impact of Employability Solutions through the real-life stories of those who have been supported by the school over the last 10 years.
Employability Solutions are open to investors in the fund. For more information about Employability Solutions visit the website