Wirral Change once again hosted a celebration of partnership working to deliver English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes to diverse communities of Wirral.  This year’s celebration was organised by the staff and volunteers of Wirral Change, led by Employment Outreach Worker Emilia Korzeniecka, and was held at Wirral Change’s new home at St Laurence’s School, Birkenhead. 

The event was a great success, with a party atmosphere filling the school hall where refreshments were served before and after the awards ceremony and people from all communities met and networked. 

The ceremony was introduced by Clint Agard, the Chief Executive Officer of Wirral Change and the guest speaker was Pauline Cocker, a Director of our organisation, who paid tribute to the students, to Wirral Council, the tutors of Wirral Met College, the SureStart crèche staff and the staff of Wirral Change, whose collective hard work has led to another successful year for ESOL.  Pauline also expressed a hope that future funding will allow ESOL to continue. 

Also present as special guests were Councillors Phil Davies and Jean Stapleton. 

Following the speeches, the students were presented with their certificates and gifts, before a very lively photo session took place!

Wirral Change would once again like to thank Wirral Met College, Wirral Council, SureStart and all partners who have worked together to make ESOL possible in 2010-2011.  Thanks to this partnership working, Wirral Change has continued to gain the trust of communities and to break down language barriers to employment and training.  It is hoped that the funding situation will allow this, the core business of Wirral Change to continue long into the future. 

The Social Change Awards awarded by the Directory of Social Change (DSC) celebrate the passionate individuals and effective organisations committed to making a positive impact on society.  This change can come about through the everyday actions of one individual, many people pulling together, a local company that cares about their wider community or the thoughtful investment of resources.

At the national Social Change Awards Ceremony which took place on Thursday 25 November 2010 at DSC's Charity Centre in Central London, Clint Agard, Chief Executive Officer of Wirral Change was runner-up for the Influencer Award. 

This award is solely for individuals that really know which buttons to press to make things happen - from campaigning for a change in law to bringing together different groups to achieve what might have seemed impossible. DSC wants to acknowledge the determination and hard work required to communicate clearly, put forth a persuasive argument and win people over to bring about positive change.  Clint Agard has done all of this in building Wirral Change from a small project into the busy and successful voluntary organisation it is today.  He would like to thank all Directors, partners and staff of Wirral Change who voted for him and would also like to thank them for their own influence in bringing Wirral Change to its present level of success in serving the disadvantaged communities of Merseyside. 

Clint is presented with his award along with fellow runner-up Sally Gimson and award winner Julia Lalla-Maharajh.  Photographer: Tim Winter

Wirral Change is holding a charity fundraising event for the victims of the Pakistan floods.

The event will be held on 25th October 2010 from 1.00-3.00pm at Bollywood Lounge, 33 Grange Road West, Birkenhead CH41 4BY.

The event will include:

• A raffle, with a 1 in 3 chance to dine at one of Wirral's premier restaurant groups
• Indian lunch and light refreshments
• Entertainment
• and much more

All money donated at the event will go to the charity Islamic Relief, where the money will be donated to Pakistan’s flood victims.

Please come along and support Wirral Change at this key community event! 

For more details, please contact Wirral Change. 

In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, two members of the Board of Wirral Change received the MBE. 

The Trustees/Directors honoured were Jo Wood (Company Secretary and Treasurer) and Pauline Cocker.  Jo’s award recognised her unstinting work against domestic violence and sexual abuse in women, while Pauline received her award for her excellent voluntary work in the field of education.  Jo and Pauline were the only Wirral representatives receiving the MBE!   

The Board, Management Team and staff of Wirral Change send their heartiest congratulations to Jo and Pauline.  

Following assessment, Wirral Change has now achieved the Matrix standard. Matrix is the national quality standard for the delivery of information, advice and guidance (IAG).

The Matrix standard shows clients, funders and partners of Wirral Change that the information, advice and guidance services it provides are of the highest standard.

Here are just a few of the things our clients said about Wirral Change:

‘They are my friends here; very helpful.’

‘It is a good place with good people.’

‘They walk the extra mile for you.’

‘We have an excellent relationship; they’re very proactive and very inclusive.’

‘They told me the first time what they did – the whole spectrum of services.’

‘They help me understand everything.’

‘They told me what they do and if we can’t deal with it, we’ll take you to the right

place.’

‘They’re very genuine – always looking to see what they can do for the BME

community.’

Wirral Change would like to thank all staff, volunteers and partners whose hard work and dedication have made this achievement possible, and would also like to thank all clients who gave their time to talk to the assessor about Wirral Change.

Six more awards for Wirral Change!