Digital marketing agency Gravity Digital have teamed up with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) to help break down barriers facing young people keen to further their education and training.
Derby-based Gravity have joined DCCT’s Partners Programme and chose to specifically align the organisation’s Education Hardship Fund as part of their commitment to support young people into the workplace.
DCCT established the Education Hardship Fund to support young people who may have a financial barrier to accessing the charity’s wide range of educational courses and supports their travel, kit costs and living expenses.
In the coming academic year, more than 700 young people will be part of the education programme which ranges from football and education to sport-related degrees.
Gravity Digital director Sharon Stevens-Cash explained: “We have long been in awe of the incredible work that DCCT does across Derbyshire and the positive impact that this has on the lives of so many people in our local communities.
“Their work closely aligns with our ethos of putting something back into the communities where we all live, work and enjoy.
“Education and employability skills are particularly relevant to our fast-moving digital marketing sector which relies on the enthusiasm, positive attitude and flexibility of young people who are the future of this industry.
“We were therefore keen to specifically support DCCT’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field and I hope that our support for the Hardship Fund will make a real difference to young people’s lives.”
DCCT Business Development Manager Pete Collins added: “We are delighted that Gravity Digital has joined our Trust Partners Programme alongside so many other notable local businesses.
“The Education Hardship Fund is crucial to support young people who might otherwise struggle to continue their education and training due to financial constraints.
“We have had many notable successes over the years including Gemma Barrowcliff who is now an administrator in the education and employability department having graduated from our Kickstart Employability scheme.
“She is a shining example of the power of education, and, with the support of Gravity Digital and other Derby businesses, many more young people will be able to achieve their potential and get the first step on the career ladder.”
