Teenagers excluded from mainstream schools in the North East have a new chance to tackle confidence issues and build skills thanks to a recent partnership.
Former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio’s charity – Dallaglio RugbyWorks – has joined forces with the region’s largest commercial property investment and development company, UK Land Estates.
It will see UK Land Estates’ staff deliver inspirational sessions for 14-16 year-olds across the North East, and encourage some of the firm’s hundreds of business tenants to support the charity.
Keith Taylor, managing director at UK Land Estates, said: “We’re excited to be working with Dallaglio RugbyWorks – which already does a huge amount to help some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities.
“We’ll be in schools telling these young people about our work in the property sector and introducing them to the opportunities and pathways they can work towards.
“UK Land Estates is committed to supporting communities where we operate, and this partnership is just one part of that work.”
Dallaglio RugbyWorks places coaches in alternative provision schools – working with young people over three years.
Using the values of rugby, it helps permanently excluded teenagers to build skills and get back into education, training or employment.
And the charity sees great results.
For example, 78 per cent of permanently excluded young people enrolled in RugbyWorks are in education, employment or training 12 months after leaving alternative provision, compared to the national average of just 53 per cent after six months.
Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, founder of Dallaglio RugbyWorks, said: “Dallaglio RugbyWorks is extremely proud to be supported by UK Land Estates in the North East.
“With its help we will be able to give young people from across the region, who are educated outside of mainstream schools, amazing insights into the world of work and the many career options open to them in the future.
“This is absolutely vital in helping them to grow their aspirations and achieve a bright, happy and stable future.”