Now then. A few weeks ago I was asked to go in to a local school and do a bit of a talk to the kids in Year 9 about my career, stuff I've done with WSB & the film etc and it got me thinking - there's very few examples for kids round here of people who have done alright. I remember when I was at secondary school & I had no idea about the opportunities that were available to me & I compare that to kids I know via work that it's very different in more affluent areas. Anyway, to try & combat that I'm setting up a Speakers Network for Barnsley schools. People with a link to the area & have achieved something either in or out of work that will give kids a new perspective/raise their levels of ambition. If anyone fancies getting involved, let me know - no commitment needed, just a view of if you'd be interested & I can then push out your bio & stuff to schools & they'll let us know if they fancy you coming in for an hour that suits your schedule. This place is on its arse & it's only gonna get worse unless folk who care about it try & make it better. If you wanna get involved, gimme a shout. You don't know what impact you might have.
I'll make one, away until late January though. Promise not to mention Stexit. Joking apart, couldn't agree more, far too many people leave Barnsley in search of something better. Instead, they could remain and make Barnsley better. Will be in touch. Brilliant initiative!
I’m not in Tarn anymore but did something similar for my junior school a couple of years ago. I think this needs to happen. Folk aren’t going to get any help whichever political party is in office. The best chance anyone has here is by breeding a network of people that can help one another out. I’d love it if we became a town of entrepreneurs.
Excellent idea Liam (?). I hope this works out for you. If you need any further help you could contact Barnsley College, who have Barnsley Talent. Which links with successful local people. Young people are still inspired by the lives of others, especially who are from their background. All the best to you, sorry if I've got your name wrong.
I think Ian McMillan reads this forum, maybe he could help you out. I think the kids would be comatose if I talked for ten minutes about "My life as a software developer".
I'd then kill them off with 15 minutes on product management and business intelligence and Terry Nutkins could pick off any remaining stragglers with a PowerPoint presentation on Sales Recruitment.
Good on you mate. I believe the school, you speak of, was Barnsley Academy and my lad was one of those year 9 pupils who came home pretty enthused by it and also that he had been talking football with ‘the bloke who does West Stand Bogs’. I think this is a cracking idea and need you to know that these kids really identify with a ‘local bloke’ giving advice rather than a teacher or careers advisor.
