A South Derbyshire-led STEM education project believes businesses are key in supporting local schools to help the next generation of engineers. Holly Davies, who runs science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education workshops through STEM Venturi, based in Hilton, is appealing for help to build greater links between businesses and schools to bridge the UK’s digital skills gap. It is estimated that the current digital skills gap is costing the UK economy as much as £63 billion a year in potential GDP with only 61% of the active population in the UK having digital skills compared to 69.4% in the US. A recent Learning and Work Institute report also states the number of young people taking IT subjects at GCSE has dropped 40% since 2015 resulting in the UK heading towards a digital skills shortage ‘disaster’. A former aerospace engineer herself Holly is now looking for up to 10 businesses who are prepared to fund interactive STEM workshops that will help Midlands schools to boost their digital skills offer. These could be creating weather stations, wildlife trackers or ground temperature monitors in forest school sessions or helping to code music apps and fitness trackers to inspire children’s digital creativity and coding. The aim is to help build vital skills for youngsters to promote computing and wider creativity skills while showing them how skills they build through hobbies, such as gaming and lego, could actually create career opportunities going forward. Holly, who already runs a variety of in school and after school activities across Burton and South Derbyshire, said: “If we are to bridge the skills gap we need to start by inspiring the next generation to understand the possibilities. “STEM is not only important for children who have a passion for engineering and technology but also in helping to encourage creativity and exploration to show youngsters that anything is possible. “It may be that youngsters find they have an interest in coding, racing remote control cars or building robots. What they don’t then understand is that these interests could go on to create rewarding jobs later on such as designing 3D video games or building robots to solve problems for large manufacturing firms. “If we are to inspire change then we need to be introducing new opportunities and that is where I think employers can help by bridging that gap between what schools are teaching and how that can be applied to a future career.” STEM Venturi is looking for businesses to donate time and funds to support schools to upskill between 30 and 120 pupils at a time. The sessions can be tailored around the business to provide a valuable insight into future careers in that sector with the aim being to build closer links between schools and businesses to provide the skills needed to bridge the digital skills gap. Rachel Edwards, lead teacher at the Design Technology Department in Windsor Park CE Middle School, Uttoxeter, said it was important that experts were brought in to support teachers in delivering these ‘invaluable’ skills for young people. She said: “STEM skills are crucial for preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the world of work. Being able to have external providers in, like STEM Venturi, to showcase these skills is invaluable. In a recent 3D printing workshop run by the STEM Venturi team our key stage 3 students left knowing a lot more about the additive manufacturing process and all of the possibilities that this technology can provide.”

Nottingham-based accountancy firm Page Kirk has joined forces with charity PASIC to help distribute Easter eggs this week to children with cancer. The aim is to bring some much-needed cheer to the kids themselves, as well as their siblings and parents, who are in the middle of a very challenging and emotional time. PASIC has been working in the East Midlands since the 1970s, when it was originally founded as Parents Association for Seriously Ill Children. Today, it supports nearly 500 families across the region through financial assistance, counselling, events, outings and other initiatives. Page Kirk, based in Forest Fields, Nottingham, has nominated the organisation as its charity of the year and the sourcing of Easter eggs is just the latest in a series of fundraising efforts. Some 150 families will be invited to a special PASIC Easter event, but those who have children too poorly to attend won’t miss out, as eggs will also be distributed on local hospital wards. PASIC’s Corporate Fundraiser Beth Mills said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Page Kirk as their charity partner this year. They’ve done a fantastic job with their collection of Easter eggs. Each one will bring a smile to the face of a child with cancer. Egg-cellent work, Page Kirk!” Page Kirk’s Head Receptionist Amanda Willis co-ordinates the firm’s fundraising efforts. She said: “PASIC is doing wonderful work in the local community, helping children affected by cancer as well as their families. We’ve dedicated our fundraising efforts in 2024 to supporting them and these Easter eggs seem such a great idea. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a bit of chocolate over the holiday period?”

Leicestershire-based charity Freeva are calling on local businesses to join them as corporate ambassadors and help deliver vital support to survivors of domestic abuse across the county.

Freeva specialise in delivering support to those impacted by domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland. Their services include helping those living through domestic abuse with recovery, providing specialist ongoing counselling to victims, breaking cycles of abuse by working with perpetrators to change their behaviour, and educating young people on the importance of building safe and respectful relationships.

Now, Freeva have issued an appeal to local businesses to help them continue their important work, either with a one-off donation or through monthly sponsorship.

The charity relies solely on donations and funding to deliver their services, and have said that corporate ambassadors are hugely instrumental in allowing them to continue reaching and supporting survivors, alongside continuing their preventative programme, The Jenkins Project, and providing youth support with their YP Project.

In return for their support, Freeva offer ambassadors promotional opportunities, fundraising campaign partnerships, and ambassador certification.  

Suki Kaur, Chief Executive of Freeva, said: “Domestic abuse doesn’t just impact the victims, it impacts entire communities. As much as we try, we simply don’t have the resources to help every person in need, which is why we urgently need corporate ambassadors to help us reach more victims and deliver potentially life-saving support.

“Corporate ambassadors can also play a pivotal role in helping us to end the stigma surrounding domestic abuse by showing solidarity and compassion for survivors. You don’t need to have been affected by domestic abuse yourself to help, it can affect anyone and we all have a responsibility to stand with them, support them, and help them to rebuild their lives.”

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.1 million people aged 16 years and over (1.4 million women and 751,000 men) experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023.