Families celebrate their commitment to Inspiring Communities

A special celebration event was held at Café Cargo Foulridge, on Wednesday, 8th December, for families who have taken part in Inspiring Communities Community Panel Meetings during the year.

Inspiring Communities is an exciting programme which aims to improve the lives and aspirations of young people between 11 and 14 and their families in parts of Nelson and Colne.

Since it was launched in the summer, numerous young people have taken part in street dance classes, university visits, army fitness events and story telling workshops.

Many families now regularly attend Community Panel Meetings at the ACE Centre Nelson, where they listen to role models talk about their lives, jobs and experiences and take part in other educational activities, such as career based drama activities and storytelling workshops.

Claire Grimshaw, Inspiring Communities Project Co-ordinator, said: "Thank you to everyone who attended on Wednesday and made it such a wonderful event.

"It was lovely to have all of the families who attend the Community Panel Meetings together in one place celebrating everything they have achieved this year.

"It's fantastic to see that this programme is really helping to broaden young people's horizons and provide inspiration and advice for them.

"It's also great to see that it's also making a big difference to parents' own aspirations and self confidence."

In Pendle, Inspiring Communities is being delivered as the "I Dared!" campaign, through partnership working with schools and colleges, voluntary, community and faith organisations, local residents and businesses.

Howard Hughes, Associate Deputy Headteacher at Pendle Vale College, Nelson, and Sue Brown, a Learning Mentor at Primet High School, Colne, presented certificates and goody bags to school pupils on the programme at Wednesday's event.

Prizes and certificates were also presented to the three winners of a Christmas card competition, whose colourful designs are being used on the official Inspiring Communities cards this year.

Councillor Mike Blomeley, Leader of Pendle Council and Chairman of Pendle Partnership, said: "The families who are taking part in this programme really should be pleased with their success.

"It's through their own commitment and willingness to learn that they have managed to achieve what they have."