NCB receives funding to take Make a Connection into the community

15 December 2004

The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has received increased funding from Nokia to expand the Make A Connection programme over the next three years to extend the already well established and successful life skills programme into the community. This will support the five key outcomes identified in the new Children Bill: physical and mental health; protection from harm and neglect; education, training and recreation; the contribution made by children and young people to society; emotional, social and economic wellbeing.

The three-year project will initially work with five local authorities from inner city, urban, rural and seaside settings, to develop the life skills of young people in their area. Each authority will receive expert advice from a consultant, and participants will be encouraged to share best practice with other areas. The project will also bring together a nationwide advisory group with representatives from a variety of children and young people’s groups.

’This funding will allow us to build on the programme’s success in schools by engaging the wider community,’ said Sophie Wood, senior development officer - Make a Connection. ‘We can now adapt and build on Make a Connection school materials for use with vulnerable groups in other settings.’

‘In framing the project around the 5 key outcomes of the Children Bill, we hope to be able to offer practical support to local authorities in implementing the new legislation.’

Veronica Scheubel, Senior Manager, Community Involvement, Customer and Market Operations at Nokia global said ‘We are most impressed with the impact the Make a Connection programme has had over the past three years, and are glad to now support the National Children's Bureau for another three years and with expanded funding to take this successful programme to greater scale and reach more young people.’