Big tick winner

Berrybridge Housing Schools’ Support Programme

Merril Lynch Education Award supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families

Berrybridge Housing aims to offer its tenants more than just ‘bricks and mortar’ by working closely with schools at the heart of their neighbourhood.

Berrybridge Housing owns and manages 3000 ex-Liverpool City Council houses in the Dovecot and Deysbrook area of Liverpool. All of their housing stock is in wards within the 10% most deprived nationally.
 
Motivated by the high levels of economic and social deprivation in the area, the Association integrated a dedicated community investment staff team into the organisational structure from the start. Their schools support programme covers a range of school-partnership initiatives supporting young people from primary school reception to sixth form.
 
One key initiative is the Young Managers Programme which enables ten pupils aged between 14 and 16 to attend a six week project to learn about the world of work at Berrybridge Housing. Other initiatives include After School and Breakfast Clubs, classroom work on topics such as prejudice, bullying and homophobia, attendance initiatives and wider support for teachers and parents.

Impact

  • Attendance increased by 5% at Blueberry Park Primary following partnership initiatives with Berrybridge Housing.
  • Over 1000 pupils benefited from a Prejudice Elimination Programme at Broadgreen and Cardinal Heenan High Schools.
  • 40 pupils have benefited from 6 week placements at Berrybridge Housing as part of the Young Managers Programme.

See also