Colleagues at Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Vauxhall celebrated 40 years of service by Motability specialist Gavin Gray.
Mr Gray joined the dealership at the age of 18 as a junior in the sales department, working with new and used cars. When Vauxhall took the decision 35 years ago to have a Motability Specialist at every site, he was elected to the role. The Motability Scheme offers a leasing package to help people with disabilities, their families and carers regain or maintain their independence and become mobile.
Over the years he has won a number of Motability accolades, meeting the late Queen on several occasions. He said: “I’ve had a fantastic 40 years with Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Vauxhall. It is a brilliant company to work for and I have had lots of opportunities for both personal and professional development. I love what I do, helping Motability customers to become mobile is very rewarding. I’m proud that we have been recognised on a number of occasions for our excellence, and meeting the late Queen three times has been the icing on the cake.”
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Bristol Street Motors, said: “Gavin exemplifies the company’s values and has made a significant contribution to Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Vauxhall’s success over the last 40 years. The awards he was won demonstrate how well he looks after Motability customers, providing them with the very best customer experience. Congratulations, Gavin!”
Nissan brought the world of engineering and manufacturing to life for 1,700 youngsters with its two-week Schools Engineering event Children from 35 schools visited the motor maker’s Sunderland Plant to see how car manufacturing has evolved over the past 30 years and to learn how Nissan is working on a new ecosystem for making electric vehicles with renewable energy. The Nissan Skills Foundation, the company’s school engagement drive to inspire the talent of the future, held the event over the last two weeks.
The children, from schools across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham were given a tour of the plant’s final assembly line, watching the Qashqai, the 100% electric Nissan LEAF and Juke roll off the line. Adam Pennick, vice president, manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “There is no better way to be inspired by the world of engineering and manufacturing than to see it up close, first hand.
“This is a fantastic event, which challenges youngsters to think as engineers and which helps shape their future career plans. I know, because we have members of the team now working at the plant who were inspired by the Skills Foundation. We at Nissan Sunderland are delighted to invest in the next generation of talent because the school children of today are our world class automotive workforce of tomorrow. I hope we will be welcoming more than a few of the pupils who took part in this event back to our plant in the years ahead.”
The aim of the School Engineering event is to inspire young people to think about a career in industry, giving school children the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and advance their science, technology, engineering and maths skills.
Jess Corrigan, school liaison officer at the Nissan Skills Foundation, said: “This year’s event was a massive success. We’ve had fantastic feedback from the schools, and it has been wonderful to hear so many children saying they feel inspired to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing after taking part.”
Families in Newcastle’s West End are getting extra help and support thanks to the efforts of a longstanding city charity and funding from Newcastle Building Society.
The Fenham Association of Residents set up a community outreach project during the pandemic to help meet a range of urgent needs among vulnerable people within Fenham and Wingrove. Having expected to see demand tailing off as the pandemic eased, the charity instead found that the cost of living crisis meant it was being sustained into 2023 and that extra help was needed by growing numbers of people facing financial difficulties and food poverty.
It is now using a £3,000 grant from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation to help cover the increasing cost of delivering its core services, as well as providing financial and welfare advice from its Acanthus Avenue headquarters in Fenham. Around 40 families and 100 people in total are receiving support from the project. It has also used some of the money to team up with traders at the Grainger Market to ensure that doorstep deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables can be made to local residents who aren’t able to get out for them themselves.
The grant is being provided through the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, which offers grants to charities and community groups located in or around the communities served by the Society’s branch network.
Mark Gowland, project manager at Fenham Association of Residents, said: “It’s terrific to see the impact that our work is having across the community and we’re getting lots of very positive feedback from local people and families about how it boosts their physical and mental health, especially when people are making meals together and sharing time with each other.
“This work wouldn’t be happening without the funding we’ve received from Newcastle Building Society, and at a time of great need in our community, it’s been an absolute lifeline.”
Kelly Johnson, manager at Newcastle Building Society’s West Denton branch, added: “This is a true grass roots organisation that is dedicated to improving the lives of people living across its community. The positive local impact it makes is clear to see and we’re very pleased to be helping this amazing charity extend its work within our home city.”
Feeding Families, the non-profit organisation that provides meals for families in need , has been awarded the community award at the FSB Awards. This award recognises the outstanding contributions of organisations that have made a positive impact on their local communities.
Founded in 2017, the Blaydon organisation works to provide nutritious meals for families who are struggling to make ends meet. They have partnered with local businesses and organisations to collect donations and distribute food to those in need. Their efforts have helped to alleviate hunger and improve the lives of many families in the community. The FSB Awards celebrate the success of small businesses and organisations across the UK. The community award recognises organisations that have made a significant contribution to their local communities.
“We are thrilled to receive this award and to be recognised for our work in the community,” said Juliet Saunders, founder of Feeding Families. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and partners who have made this possible. We will continue to work hard to provide meals for families in need and make a positive impact on our community.”
Barratt Developments North East donated £1,500 as part of its Community Fund initiative to Children North East, the region’s longest standing children’s charity that creates life-changing differences for babies, children and young people in their families, schools and communities.
Children North East works to deliver services, support and initiatives that provide a platform for children, young people and families to work through issues, take action and provide them with the tools to reach their full potential.
Carl Sobolewski, managing director at Barratt Developments North East, said: “The team at Children North East do really incredible and vital work within the region, and we’re pleased to have been able to support them during what is a particularly financially-challenging period. We truly hope that our donation will make a difference to their services, and we encourage other businesses to follow in our footsteps and also donate what they can to this hugely important charity.”
Janet Cairns, growth and engagement director at Children North East, said: “We are truly grateful to Barratt Developments North East for their generous donation. Our services rely heavily on the generosity of businesses and individuals across the region, and this donation will help us to continue to offer life-saving support to young people and families all across the region.”
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