August 2009 Update

2 August 2009

Welcome to the

August 2009 Update

from

The Aldridge Foundation

Aldridge Foundation celebrates Third Anniversary

This summer, The Aldridge Foundation celebrated its Third Anniversary, with a summer party at the London Transport Museum.  Over the last three years, the Foundation has opened its first Academy in Darwen, secured the Secretary of State’s backing for a second in Falmer, near Brighton, and funding a host of projects reaching hundreds of thousands of children and young people across the country.  We thank you all for your support so far – and look forward to working with you going forward.

Aldridge Foundation Prospectus published

On 21^st July we published The Aldridge Foundation’s Prospectus, setting out a snapshot of our projects and current ethos.  The document provides a wealth of information for anyone interesting in finding out more about our work and key areas of interest, and describes new projects where we are keen to work with others.

To download a copy visit:

http://www.aldridgefoundation.com/prospectus

If you would like to receive a printed copy, contact:

elizabeth.anderson@aldridgefoundation.com

Students of Darwen Aldridge Community Academy launch art gallery

In Darwen, a group of our Year 10 and 11 students have applied for and secured £35k funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund to convert a Victorian tram stop, located in the heart of the retail centre, into a community art gallery. As a youth-led project, students will run the social enterprise, manage the space and sell their work in the gallery. They will pay a commission back to the enterprise to ensure its long term sustainability.

For more information on this, and sponsorship opportunities for an art installation, contact:

sally.ritchie@aldridgefoundation.com

Aldridge Academy students perform at Chelsea FC

A group of students from the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy were privileged to perform a set from Essentially Dance at Chelsea FC this month.  The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust invited the group to travel to London and give the demonstration at their annual Gala Dinner held at Stamford Bridge.  Essentially Dance is reaching thousands of children, following a successful pilot project funded by The Aldridge Foundation.

For more information on our Academies, contact:

sally.ritchie@aldridgefoundation.com

Alan Milburn speaks on social mobility at Aldridge Foundation event

Rod Aldridge hosted a private dinner with the Rt Hon Alan Milburn MP in June.  Mr Milburn briefed the select group on the final report of the Fair Access to the Professions working group.  The dinner is one of a series of events hosted by the Foundation, which look to identify barriers to success and develop methods of overcoming these.

For more information on our events programme, contact:

elizabeth.anderson@aldridgefoundation.com