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30 Sep 2009 15:41
Opening the doors to education
Chamberlayne College for the Arts, Southampton, is offering adult learners the vital skills of numeracy and literacy thanks to a donation from Britannia - part of The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS).
The donation from Britannia's charitable Foundation, for more than £6,600, funds a one year GCSE mathematics course for adults in the Weston area of the city. The course takes place in the evening and, to further support adult learners, includes crèche facilities - increasing accessibility to education where childcare can be an obstacle to attending.
Donna Denton, community manager at the college, said: "We aim to be an educational hub for the community - a focal point for learning for all the family. We had been inundated with requests for adult GCSE mathematics courses and, the support from Britannia has provided the funding to make this happen.
"Breaking down barriers to learning is one way in which the college offers qualifications to the community - reducing the number of people in the area with no qualifications and improving their employment opportunities."
Jennie Barton, manager of Britannia's Southampton branch, added: "We support local communities and co-operate with education providers to promote improvements in numeracy and financial literacy. Providing skills to unlock potential and enhance future financial security can make a real difference to people, particularly in these more challenging economic times."
The Britannia Foundation offers grants and donations to registered charities and schools working within education, particularly numeracy and/or financial literacy. For more information, pop in to your local Britannia branch or click www.britannia.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
About The Co-operative Financial Services:
The Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) is part of The Co-operative Group, which is the world’s largest consumer co-operative with around five million members, over £14 billion turnover, and core business interests in financial services, food, travel, pharmacy and funeral care. The Co-operative Group has over 5,300 retail trading outlets, including Somerfield.
Following the merger with Britannia on 1 August 2009, the new organisation is one of the largest and well diversified mutual businesses operating in both retail and corporate markets.
As part of The Co-operative Group, the new business will be characterised by its unique ethical and member reward policies and very high levels of customer advocacy.
The combined business has £70 billion in assets, 12,000 staff and nine million customers. It has over 300 high street branches, 20 corporate banking centres and a major presence in Manchester, London, Leek, Bristol, Plymouth, Skelmersdale and Stockport. There are also 1,000 face-to-face financial advisers throughout the UK.
It is the only mutual organisation that enables its members to earn financial rewards for the products they hold, as well as giving them the opportunity to have a say in how the business is ran.
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