
Business charity BW3 rounded off its birthday year with a celebration of everything inspiring about Wythenshawe.
The charity, which stands for Business Working With Wythenshawe – is marking 20 years since it was set up to improve to the economic and social wellbeing of the area.
During the past 12 months, it has delivered a wide range of programmes aimed at raising aspirations in young people and has also supported local community groups
Central to this was the flagship Reading Mentoring initiative, delivered in partnership with the Shannon Trust.
It has sent 13 business people from the area, trained as literacy mentors to deliver weekly sessions to 26 young people. The scheme was devised in response to data showing 18% of young people in Wythenshawe start high school without the required literacy levels to achieve required progress.
The scheme has proved so successful at BW3’s school of the year, St Paul’s, that it attracted praise from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham during the course of the year. The Reading Mentoring was also referenced in the schools recent OFSTED report recognising ‘skilled mentors help pupils to develop their reading skills’ and ‘any pupils who have fallen behind receive effective support from well-trained mentors’, for which we are very proud.
Other highlights from the period included a great turnout for World Book Day that saw 21 business people read at Button Lane Primary School.
BW3 also delivered its Numbers at Work programme to primary schools, which aims to bring to life how maths is applied in the world or work.
During the anniversary year, BW3 also worked with The Agency Creative on a rebrand and new website, setting it up for the next two decades with a new look and feel.
And earlier this month, a special celebration event took place at the Runway Visitor Park to mark the 20 years milestone, with a range of speakers all showcasing what inspires them about Wythenshawe.
BW3 chair Adam Jupp said: “Over the last 20 years, so many people have worked hard and given up their time to support BW3’s activities and get us to where we are today.“I would like to say a huge thank you to all of them and hope that they serve as an inspiration to others to get involved and change the lives of young people for the better.“I look forward to kicking off the new year with a focus on how we can make BW3’s work even bigger and better than it already is.”
To find out more about BW3’s work or get involved click here or contact zara@bw3.org.uk