Willmott Dixon announce link-up with educational charity
Willmott Dixon is linking up with one of the UK’s largest drug and alcohol education charities to help promote its message of safe and healthy lifestyles in every school it builds.
As one of the largest constructors of new schools in the UK, the company will give financial backing to DARE, which provides programmes in schools to equip pupils with knowledge and understanding of the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.
DARE’s programmes are aligned to the curriculum and it enables Willmott Dixon to expand its existing support in schools, which currently includes safety talks, involving pupils with building design through its cool wall initiative, plus pupil talks by trainee managers under its ambassador scheme.
Under the link-up, Willmott Dixon will provide annual financial support as well as assistance in helping DARE set up new groups in schools it has constructed. It will back this up with business advice and access to resources to safeguard DARE’s long term future.
Willmott Dixon managing director for the Midlands, Peter Owen says, “Being able to deliver a school and then help deliver the curriculum is quite a unique position. By supporting DARE, we can give even more back to education and will see us make a positive contribution to the future of thousands of young people across the country.”
“DARE’s programmes offer young people the lifestyle skills to combat drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour. They are aimed at equipping young people in their formative years with information and life skills to help them resist peer pressure, avoid misuse of drugs and make informed choices throughout their life.”
The Nottinghamshire-based charity was founded 15 years ago and works in more than 280 schools, mainly in the Midlands, reaching over 10,000 children every year. It is also active in the City of London and South Yorkshire, has been adopted by the Royal Military police in their schools and will be establishing groups in the London Borough of Dagenham and Oxford.
DARE’s chief executive officer, Dave Gilbert says, “Thanks to the link-up with Willmott Dixon, we can become much more self-reliant. That’s important in the current economic climate as we need to be less dependent on random donations. This gives us a platform to take our message to more schools.”
Dave continues: “It has never been more important to help youngsters develop the skills to cope with a drug-using and threatening world. This very welcome new agreement with Willmott Dixon has come at a crucial time to deliver our programme to young people.
“With the credit crunch in mind, many of them will be facing bleak prospects when they leave school, there is evidence that crime is increasing and there will be even more temptations to turn to drugs, crime and anti-social behaviour.
”Our courses are delivered either by a serving or retired police officer, a teacher or a combination of the two. They provide children with the knowledge and skills to help them make informed decisions to develop safe and healthy lifestyles. Topics covered include tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and other illegal substances, bullying and anti-social behaviour.”