Miller funds London trip for Edinburgh Award finalists

Lewis Blackley, Jamie McGovern and Emma McKie, who are all 14 years of age and from Castlebrae Community High School in the Craigmillar area of the city, devised the ‘We Want to Work’ campaign to create work experience for under-16s that can provide practical training and skills and give them exposure to a variety of jobs they might want to pursue in the future.

Having recognised the terrific potential of their student work-scheme idea, Miller Developments contributed £500 to ensure the group can travel to London to pitch their campaign idea to the CHANGEit awards judging panel. The award winners will be announced on 14 May with prizes being presented at the ceremony by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard.

Run by international leadership organization, Common Purpose, and sponsored by Deutsche Bank, the CHANGEit awards aim to show that young people can make positive changes to society and recognise the achievements and ambitions of young people, between the ages of 11-18, who are already doing so. The awards have nothing to do with academic achievement or exam grades, but everything to do with good citizenship and positive action.

Andy McGoff, Associate Director with The Miller Group, helped the students in the development of their plan while acting as an advisor at the ‘Your Turn’ sessions organised by Common Purpose. The three-day programmes challenge young people to think in new ways about their area and their world, and brings them into contact with decision makers such as chief constables, business executives and community leaders.

Andy said: “I am delighted that the hard work and enthusiasm of the group has been recognised and that they have been given the opportunity to take part in the CHANGEit awards in London. We wish them every success in the final.”

Common Purpose Chief Executive, Julia Middleton, said: “The ‘We Want to Work’ initiative would create tremendous opportunities for young people in Edinburgh. It shows how young people can have a valuable leadership role in society."

CHANGEit consists of two categories: the Innovation awards, for young people who have big ideas that deserve to reach their full potential, and the Performance awards, for young people who deserve to have their campaigning efforts recognised. The ‘We Want to Work’ campaign has reached the final in the Innovation category along with campaigns to build a free-running training park, help teenagers raise money for youth clubs and raise awareness about teenage pregnancy.

Notes to editors

• Miller Developments is part of The Miller Group, the UK’s largest privately-owned housebuilding, property development and construction business.

• Common Purpose is an independent, leadership development organisation which aims to improve the way society works. Common Purpose operates throughout the UK and world-wide in Ireland, Germany, France, Turkey, Ghana, The Netherlands, India, Hungary and South Africa. For information log onto www.commonpurpose.org.uk.

• Read the ‘Was it really worth it?’ campaign blog at http://wewanttowork.blogspot.com.

For Further Information

Kerry Davidson / Pamela Counter
Beattie Communications
Tel: 01324 602 568