Coaching & Mentoring at Manchester Communications Academy
Groundwork are delivering youth coaching and mentoring throughout 2023 and 2024 to young people at Manchester Communications Academy.
We’re working with young people to create positive opportunities to attend school regularly, become more involved in the community and develop a sense of belonging. Reducing the likelihood of negative behaviours and inspiring them to exceed their expectations.
Your friendly youth coaches
Suraiya
Carlos
Meet the Manchester Communications Academy youth coaches – Suraiya!
Year One Cohort
Year Two Cohort
Developments & achievements
Basin: “Dance has given me confidence”
At the beginning of the programme Basin lacked a passion for school. Not because she didn’t want to but due to learning barriers. Dance has inspired Basin, she has gained various skills such as team work, leadership and communication. Basin has had the opportunity to teach her peers the routines and even compete. Dance has given Basin the time to socialise with peers and has also started to attend dance after school and has a show coming up in 2024.
Rutendo: “I enjoy learning new dances and going to powerhouse”
Rutendo has had no problems academically and has showed passion for her education. Rutendo is also captain of her netball team. Since attending the session, she loves to dance, and she has been able to pick up the choreography and make it her own. Suraiya invited Rutendo to powerhouse to interact with other young dancers like herself. Rutendo has enjoyed participating in trips and socialising with her peers.
Taylor: “I enjoyed speaking to Suraiya”
Taylor has come so far from walking out or skipping lessons. Taylor has been able to open up during the sessions, discovered she is a great actress and grown her skills in being honest. Suraiya is very proud of Taylor as she’s making small steps and sticking to her goals, such as attending her classes even if she is tempted by her friends to skip. Taylor is building resilience.
Taylor: “I enjoyed the dancing and having someone to talk to”
Taylor is strong minded and knows when to use her moral compass. Although Taylor can be influenced by her friends, she is not afraid to call them out if they’re being disrespectful. Taylor feels the programme has provided a safe space to vent and be understood. During the programme Taylor has been able to acknowledge her actions and take accountability. Taylor has enjoyed dance as it’s given her confidence, and she’s learned new skills and spent time with friends.
Tutu: “After this, I’m worried I won’t have any other support”
Tutu started the programme later on in the year, but has enjoyed being part of the programme. Tutu has shared her grievances with recent events. Suraiya was proud of Tutu in this moment as she seemed to be bottling up her feelings. Tutu feels she needs support and is concerned about future support. It has been amazing having Tutu on the programme, Suraiya has been listening to her ambitions on becoming a midwife.
Latest
December
The young people celebrated all their hard work and achievements this year with a bowling trip and a meal out. The mentors are excited for activities coming up next year!
November
Mentees participated in Youth Work week, discussing what youth work means to them . One young person said “you provide a space where we can chill and talk to you if we have any issues”
October
Young people took a trip to Kick Air, where they learned valuable teamwork skills and they even encouraged each other to overcome their fears of heights!
August
The mentees had a great time this summer going to lots of different places, from Ordsall Hall to the History museum, allowing them to visit new places and learn new things over the holidays!
They were taken to Blackpool to celebrate the end of summer, where many of them overcame their fears and pushed themselves by going on the rides!
July
To help keep the young people active and socialising this summer, Suraiya, Carlos and Norris took some of their cohort to the Trafford Centre, where they played Laserquest and ate KFC!
June
Carlos and Norris have been helping the young people to build up their teamworking skills and manage their emotions through sports such as football and basketball!
April
The mentees had a fantastic time at Total Ninja over the Easter holidays, socialising and participating in fun activities!
March
Suraiya has been running dance sessions with her new mentees, and recently hosted an evening session at Crumpsall Park along with participants from Abraham Moss School. The girls had a great time expressing themselves through dance, and felt like they had a safe space to learn and have fun!
January
Last’s years cohort had their celebration event, reflecting on the past year and receiving their certificates. We’re so proud of how far they’ve all come!
November
The pupils went for a meal at TOPS buffet in Manchester, as well as doing some other activities and exploring the city.
October
As a treat over the half term, Carlos took a group of pupils to the Trafford Centre as many of them hadn’t been before. They enjoyed going for food, going to lazer quest and more!
The pupils also spent some time writing down how they felt about visiting local green spaces, an outing some of them hadn’t done much before the programme.
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Acknowledgements and thanks
Thank you to all the young people, teachers and supportive parents and guardians who contribute to the work in Manchester Communications Academy.
Our work is made possible thanks to the SAFE Taskforce which is funded by:
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