New College Durham Celebrates Apprentice Success

Yesterday (Monday 16th December) New College Durham hosted a presentation evening to mark the success of apprentice applications to a charitable trust.

Founded in 1628, The Henry Smith Charity is an independent grant making trust working to combat disadvantage and meet the challenges and opportunities facing people in need throughout the UK. Today, almost four centuries after it was first established, the charity is one of the largest grant-making charities in Britain: distributing £46.4 million in 2023 alone.

Each year the charity aims to provide apprentices who live within a certain catchment area within Durham, a grant, to be used to purchase tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Natasha Francis Director of Apprenticeships and Partnerships at New College Durham said,

“In preparation for the charity’s board meeting, we invited several apprentices who met the strict residency criteria to submit applications to be considered by the trustees. As a result, 9 applications were submitted, and I’m delighted to say that everyone was successful.”

The successful apprentices were.

· Henry Greaves, Lucas Dobson – Motor Vehicle

· Luke Dawson – Carpentry & Joinery

· Jason Richardson, Jake Richardson, Rhys Nicholson - Furniture Manufacturing

· Caine Blakeley – Plumbing and Heating

· Olivia Cara, Ryan Lannon - Hair Professional

Representatives from the charity were there to show support to the apprentices as they received certificates and their grant awards presented by the Mayor of Durham Cllr. Liz Brown.

Ian Mackenzie, Chair of Trustees, The Henry Smith Charity expressed his delight in supporting local apprentices, saying: "The charity is once again thrilled to support local apprentices at the start of their careers here in Durham. Our charity has supported young people at the beginning of their careers since as long ago as the 17th century. This makes the current recipients a welcome part of almost 400 years of history. We wish the new apprentices every success in their future careers."

Natasha added: “This is the 14th year The Henry Smith Charity has supported our apprenticeship programme. Their generosity continues to have a tangible impact on the

lives of our apprentices, providing them with the tools and equipment to excel in their chosen professions. These grants will undoubtedly help them build the foundations for prosperous careers."

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A total of 12 construction students from New College Durham are working with local community interest company, Trades4Care Project, on a project to make improvements to, and redecorate, Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland.

The 8-week project also includes fitting a new kitchen which has been donated by Magnet Kitchens, and IT training for staff, provided by local business Dolan IT.

Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland provides adults with a life-limiting illness, non-medical, therapeutic support services such as complementary therapy, physiotherapy, group sessions, and counselling. Covering Bishop Auckland, Durham Dales, Sedgefield and surrounding areas, services are free of charge to anyone who has been accepted for care from the Hospice.

Director of Trades4Care Project, Charlie Wright, said; “This project gives the students from New College Durham a chance to put the skills they've learnt at college to good use. By bringing their skills and positive attitude, they are helping a local charity that supports so many people and their families in and around Bishop Auckland. In the first three weeks we've had Jack, Josh, Dylan, Ben, Isaac, and Tyler with us who are on a construction course at New Durham college. They have all been very polite, hardworking and worked really well as part of the team. With their help, we have decorated counselling rooms, physiotherapy area, hairdressing salon corridors, and family support rooms.”

The project (funded by the local AAP and Cllrs Joanne Howey, Sam Zair and Andrew Jackson), has created a lot of interest with both BBC Radio Tees and BBC Look North. Upon completion, all the participants will be invited back together for a light lunch and to meet the Lord-Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowdon who will be visiting to see the work the team has carried out for the hospice.

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