Volunteers from intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh teams are preparing to step out of their comfort zones this month (16 May) alongside 40 pupils from the Nottingham Academy, ahead of an outdoor learning experience they will all be taking part in together in Wales.
Earlier this month intu volunteers visited the Nottingham Academy to take part in a series of ice-breaker activities with the pupils. The group of intu volunteers also hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of both shopping centres for all the pupils and intu volunteers to get to know each other before they head off on the Outward Bound residential programme later this month.
This is the fourth consecutive year intu has sponsored the Outward Bound residential programme for pupils from the Academy, asking team members to get involved by becoming mentors to support pupils during the outdoor learning experience.
Nicola McCabe, marketing manager for both centres, said “We are delighted to have partnered up with Outward Bound and the Nottingham Academy again this year; the trip is hugely important to us, as it allows us to support local young people through this fantastic but challenging experience.
“Both our visit to the Academy and the pupils’ visit to our centres provide everyone with a valuable experience prior to the Outward Bound trip. It allows all of our mentors and the pupils to meet one another, learning more about each other’s interests before they head to Wales in May.”
Two team members from intu Victoria Centre plus two from intu Broadmarsh will join the 12 and 13 year old pupils as mentors throughout the Outward Bound programme, which will include challenging outdoor activities such as an overnight expedition, abseiling and canoeing.
Kate Hissett, marketing co-ordinator for both centres will be taking part in the trip for the first time this year. She said: “I have previously been involved with the preparations for the Outward Bound trips but I am excited to be taking part as a mentor this year! It is such a unique experience and I am so proud we have been able to support it for the last four years.
“It’s a really worthwhile project that allows children to go completely out of their comfort zones by having a real adventure which builds relationships with their classmates and increases their confidence– I have heard so many stories about the positive impact the trip has had on local pupils and I am thrilled to be part of it this year.”
During the behind the scenes tours of both intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh, the participating Nottingham Academy pupils were given an insight into their intu mentors’ day-to-day – from security to car parks, customer services to management.
Ged Rae, Principal at the Nottingham Academy, said: “Once again, the generosity of intu properties and the support of the mentors from intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh will allow our pupils to take part in a life-enhancing Outward Bound experience. Each year this programme has gone from strength to strength and we see lasting benefits in the Academy. This flagship partnership with intu properties is a key part of our exciting new careers and employability initiative that aims to prepare our young people for the future.”
For further information see www.intugroup.co.uk
To find out more about the Nottingham Academy see www.nottinghamacademy.org
