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In 2012 we aim to continue to commit ourselves to the Giving Back programmes that we have successfully developed throughout 2011. Programmes and InitiativesBlind in Business
Project VIP is an original initiative developed by Acumen Solutions UK, Blind in Business and Dress for Success and is aimed at educating blind and visually impaired young people in how to present themselves at interviews and/or in the workplace. First impressions can make or break an interview and there is much confidence building to be done. These events are now run twice a year, one for men with the help of TM Lewin and Paul Mall Barbers and one for women. Each event is a confidence boosting day, taking the format of a professional one to one clothes styling session, with an outfit and accessories donated, advice on body language by Blue Chip companies like UBS, Credit Suisse and Clifford Chance and a hair and make up makeover (for the women’s events) offered by Butterfly salon. In between sessions Acumen help with CV workshop sessions, mock interviews and mentoring. Acumen UK also continues to help with work shadow days, offering professional advice with confidence boost sessions and mentoring on an ad hoc basis with Blind in Business. “We have continued to develop our relationship with Acumen since 2008. They often provide practice interviews, work experience placements & other employment support. We work with circa 120 blind graduates and under-graduates annually and are disappointed if we don’t help at least three quarters of them into work every year. We could not do such work without the help of Acumen Solutions. They are integral to our success.” Justin Harrison, Blind in Business
 St Paul’s Church of England Primary School
For two years Acumen UK has worked on a weekly basis with the children, taking part to a Reading Partner’s scheme in the lunch break in order to support the children with their reading, comprehension and speaking and listening skills. This year Acumen UK aim is to continue this Volunteering program and increase the benefits that the School can gain from this, often as pupils and volunteer get to know each other a mentoring relationship grows and makes the partnership more special. Aims & Benefits For Volunteers - Opportunity to do something positive and worthwhile during lunchtime, contributes to the lives of young people and it makes a great break to take the mind off work. For Employers - Raises motivation and morale amongst employees, opportunity to gain teamwork experience, improves time management and communication skills. In December 2011 Acumen UK team held couple of events that were well received by both the teachers and pupils. A cake sale, most popular way of raising funds for schools, was held just outside the main school building. All the bake goods were donated by Acumen team and sold on the day together with some parents from the school. It turned out to be a community social event that raised more money than expected and people enjoyed getting together over a common goal. Second event was a book drive and collected around 100 children’s books and board games to donate to the school library and Nursery. “Sabrina Sbarbori has extended the link further and has run a delicious home made cake stall with cakes baked and donated by Sabrina and Acumen staff, helped out by our parent volunteers. Both the children (and staff) can not wait for the next one! Darren Rubin, Deputy Head at St. Paul’s Whitechapel CE Primary School View more on our Corporate Social Responsibility efforts |
Making an Impact
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We are continuing to build on our already successful relationship with Blind in Business and wish to expand on our range of joint activities. The very successful Project VIP women’s events have continued now for 4 years so in the autumn of 2010 we devised an event based on this concept, but for visually impaired young men.
St Paul’s school is a Voluntary Aided Church of England school and works with the local authority of Tower Hamlets to provide a variety of support systems incorporating local business in the Education to Business programme. For 64% of Tower Hamlets pupils English is a second language which is an additional factor on their progress through school. The mission statement of the school is to provide a caring, inclusive and supportive community where every child is a valued member.
