An Oldham-based company has partnered with a local charity to deliver a programme to help women.
Ultimate Products, which owns a number of homeware brands including Salter and Beldray, has partnered with Keeping Our Girls Safe (KOGS) to launch the UPLIFT programme.
The UPLIFT programme is a six week programme for girls and women to build up their self-esteem, confidence, and business experience and prepare them for the world of work.
The programme will provide the opportunity to gain AQA qualifications, office experience and allow successful participants to gain further training or employment upon completion.
Employees from Ultimate Products will provide relevant training, with the HR department providing interview experience, CV building and workshops, marketing to provide marketing training, social media support and so on, with many different areas within the business offering their time and help.
On Wednesday, June 26, Ultimate Products held a launch event, which saw presentations from Ultimate Products’ CEO, Andrew Gossage, as well as the head of the UP Community Committee, Beth Williamson, and the founder of KOGS, Hayley Harewood.
KOGS is a registered charity working with young people within the Greater Manchester area to educate them about unhealthy relationships, child sexual exploitation, and grooming.
They work in schools, colleges, youth centres and within the community, with a past focus on those aged 14 and above, but they are increasingly working with younger people.
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KOGS was chosen by Ultimate Products as its charity of the year for 2023/24, but the company has extended its ‘charity of the year’ scheme and announced they will be working with KOGS for a further two years.
Mr Gossage said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our UPLIFT program and our extended period of support KOGS - Keeping Our Girls Safe.
"The work they do within the local community is invaluable and we really feel that we can support their commitment to helping those who need it.
"We know that securing work experience can be a huge barrier for all young people, but we recognise that this is even harder for those who are already receiving support from KOGS for unhealthy relationships, child sexual exploitation, and grooming.
"We believe that through our UPLIFT program, we will be able to provide a really good foundation for these individuals, providing key skills and experience that they need to secure further training, education or employment opportunities.”
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