December 2009

Our offices will be closed over the Christmas period from Thursday, 24th December 2009 until Monday, 4th January 2010.   If you are 13-19 and need someone to talk to, you can contact Connexions Direct, open from 8 am until 2 am every day.  Phone 080 800 13 2 19, web chat or email on connexions-direct.com, or text on 077664 13 2 19 (calls from your mobile are not free. Ring Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19, tell the adviser your mobile number and they will call you back.)

We would like to wish you all a very happy christmas!

Skills North West is returning to the Bolton Arena. This inspirational and interactive event gives young people aged 14-19 the chance to get hands-on with future careers. Bringing
together local and regional employers, education and training organisations and expert advisers, Skills NorthWest is the only annual event in the region that showcases skills and careers in an exciting, interactive and relevant way.

It is important that young people – all people – have their voices heard. If you are between 14 – 19 years old, you have the chance to input into the 20 year North West Regional Strategy as well as local and national policy. By completing the Young Citizens’ Say Survey, you can have your say about what matters to you, what you can do to help your generation be active citizens and what you and your peers can do to help build a better world.

The results of these surveys will inform the development of the Young Citizens’ Action Agenda NW which will explore:

On Friday the 13th of November Connexions – Cheshire and Warrington Limited organised the opening of the Crewe and District Youth Club after its refurbishment. The youth club will now run every Friday night from 6.30 till 9pm for all 13 - 19 year olds and is free to attend.

The Oasis youth club in Ellesmere Port has a whole new look thanks to a group of young people supported by Connexions – Cheshire and Warrington Limited. The artwork on the walls in the sports hall was tired and no longer relevant so once white washed to provide a blank canvas the walls were decorated with bright welcoming murals that depict the kind of activities that take place at the club.

The UK has a wealth of talent and is at the forefront of technological ideas and creativity but there is a serious skill shortage, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. (STEM) In order to try and change this Education Business Link hold a STEM Contract and they work to recruit STEM Ambassadors. Ambassadors are volunteers from business and industry who go into schools to help inspire and motivate young people to become enthusiastic about STEM and to encourage them to consider a STEM career.