BUPA initiatives

Gateway project

Community Connections works with the Gateway Project to provide work placement programmes for disadvantaged, unemployed young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years.

The work placement programme gives the Gateway clients an opportunity to meet experienced employees, develop their skills and benefit from learning how to cope in a real work environment. Each work placement is structured to reflect the client's particular interests.

For the BUPA people who participate, the work placement programme provides them with an invaluable development opportunity, enabling them to improve upon their leadership and communication skills. Each work placement programme runs for a month, with the client coming into BUPA twice a week.

BUPA helped to set up an Educational Trust Fund in conjuction with Tomorrow's People to secure funds for future Gateway clients who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in higher education.

As a result of the contributions made by the "Friends of Gateway" one of BUPA's work placements was able to go on to study for the first year of a law degree. BUPA is currently securing commitment again from all of the "Friends" so that the client can continue with her second year of study.

"BUPA's support for The Gateway Centre has provided real opportunities for young homeless people. BUPA was instrumental in setting up Gateway's Educational Trust Fund, which has already supported a number of young homeless people through university. BUPA has also provided real work placements, which have given young homeless people the chance to experience the benefits of working and getting paid at the end of it.

My only wish is that we could get more employers to do the same. BUPA's support has had a real positive effect on so many young people at Gateway".

Amerjit Chohan
National Fundraising Manager
Tomorrow's People