Gripple to show its commitment to helping the young and vulnerable into work

Gripple Limited, Sheffield’s global manufacturer, is to host the finale of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s Get on Track programme in the city. It is being held in partnership with the city-based Really NEET college to celebrate, with outstanding athletes and local dignitaries and employers, the programme’s success with vulnerable young people.

On October 28th at the Gripple HQ, the professional inline skater, Jenna Downing, who has been a role model for the Really NEET young people, will be the presenter; Grant Turner, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist swimmer, will be the guest speaker and young people involved in the programme will speak about their experiences.

Get on Track is using sport to create a brighter future for some of the UK’s most marginalised youngsters. Over a 16 session period each young person is supported through a sport and personal development programme by a team of notable athlete mentors to enhance their employability and to lead more active lives.

The Really NEET college was founded in 2011 by Sophie Maxwell - who overcame homelessness and became a graduate - to provide a safe learning environment for young people who were not in employment, education or training.

Sophie said: “I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Gripple for supporting us in such a tangible way. The event is open to all employers who I am sure will be impressed and decide to mirror Gripple’s commitment to supporting disadvantaged youngsters into work.”

Gripple has been involved with Really NEET for several months, including a group coming into The Old West Gun Works for a day to undertake various jobs and to take up the Gripple Challenge to make out of Gripple fasteners a contraption which would carry an egg safely from one side of the room to the other.

Gordon Macrae, special projects manager at Gripple, said: “It was a great day when we were humbled by the kids. Two of them ‘shone out’ and are receiving a month’s paid work experience when they will be equipped to find a ‘real’ job. It is my expectation that they will get into the next Gripple assessment day from which we pick people to work at Gripple. And now we are only too happy to help with such an important event for the college.”

The celebration will take place in The Old West Gun Works on Savile Street East from 6.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesday October 28th.

For further press information please contact Margaret Laver at Proactive PR on 07723 010 752 or margaret@proactivepr.org.uk.