PERTEMPS DONATE NEW MINI-BUS TO ST ANDREWS FAMILY CENTRE
Purpose built £45,000 vehicle thrills members

Pertemps, the Midlands-based recruitment consultancy, has donated a new mini-bus to the St Andrews Family Centre, part of St Andrews Church in Pike Drive, Chelmsley Wood, for the use of its wheelchair-bound and elderly members.

Tim Watts, chairman of Pertemps, donated the vehicle on behalf of the company after John Allcock, a retired Pertemps employee, contacted Tim on behalf of the family centre.

John Allcock, who was formerly industrial operations director at Pertemps, from Chester Road, Kingshurst said, "When the members of the centre heard about the donation, their expectations were very high. When they saw the bus they were absolutely ecstatic."

The keys to the 14-seater, Peugeot were formally presented to the centre on Friday 6th July by Tim Watts; Colin Burchill, managing director of Pertemps Employment Alliance and Lynn Ward. Prominent members of the Solihull community were also in attendance including: Councillor Beryl Kellie, Mayor of Solihull; Caroline Spellman, Conservative MP for Meriden; Bishop John Austin of Aston and Rev. David Shaw of St Andrews Church.

Tim Watts said, "Pertemps takes pride in helping the local community. Being able to travel around is important to members at the family centre. We know the mini-bus will make a big difference."

Bishop John Austin of Aston said, "Pertemps continue to make lives more enjoyable at many different levels throughout the community. Without the bus, the community of Chelmsley Wood would have difficulty getting about."

The bus has been purpose-built for carrying wheelchairs, using a special power lift at the rear of the vehicle. The centre previously used a bus that was more than 10 years old and unreliable.

The centre, part of St Andrews Church, receives around 1,000 visitors per week including wheelchair users, the elderly and young mothers. The bus will be used to take those without transport to the church centre and also for shopping and social trips.

OLYMPIC ATHLETE LAUNCHES CAREER CD FOR REGION’S YOUTH

Judy Simpson, the Olympic heptathelete and ex-Gladiator Nightshade, attended Broadway School in Perry Barr, Birmingham, to launch a career CD-Rom for Midlands’ youngsters.

The ‘Brighter Horizons’ CD is the result of an academic – industry partnership between Birmingham’s Aston Science Park, Pertemps Recruitment Partnership and Titan Partnership. Developed for students and teachers in inner-city schools, the CD advises on issues as self-awareness, job applications, decision-making and options for school leavers.

Judy, who is currently working at Hampstead Hall School, ‘booted-up’ the new software to give students a head start in their careers. She commented: "This is an incredible resource for youngsters planning their careers - and a fine example of how a partnership arrangement can work for the benefit of school-leavers."

Dr Derek Harris, Chief Executive of Aston Science Park, believes the CD will forge stronger links between students and businesses. He commented: "Young people in Birmingham, and other inner-city areas, face a number of very real and tough decisions, which can determine the direction their lives take later on. We feel the ‘Brighter Horizons’ CD will help to point them in the right direction."

The CD is designed to meet the needs of young people of different abilities and from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds within the city. It is easy to navigate and features narrated screens and key symbols for pupils who have specific difficulties reading the text.



Tim Jones, Pertemps’ Marketing Partner commented: "I really believe that Birmingham school-children will benefit from using the ‘Brighter Horizons’ CD. It helps them understand where their strengths lie and what they want out of life, as well as providing a useful tool for teachers and parents."

The CD-Rom is produced by award-winning multi-media company, Mediascope Ltd, which is located at Aston Science Park. It is available to schools in the Birmingham area, priced at £9.99 per copy, with a discount for bulk purchases. Schools can place an order by calling John Bridgman at Titan Partnership on 0121 212 4567.