A pair of Town legends were on hand to help pupils from Ethos College graduate from an initiative spearheaded by the Town Foundation and Dale Carnegie Training earlier this week. 

Town’s Academy Manager Mark Lillis and Club Ambassador Andy Booth presented certificates and complimentary match tickets to the students who successfully completed Dale Carnegie’s six week long ‘Generation Next’ training course.  

15 Year 11 students took part in the training course, offered free of charge by Dale Carnegie’s Juliette Dennett and her team culminating in a graduation-style ceremony at PPG Canalside on 17 March.  

Ethos College is a pupil referral service, providing education to Key Stage four pupils with wide ranging social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.  

One student explained: “The course helped my confidence in ways I did not think possible, such as speaking out loud and engaging with others.”  

Another pupil said: “What I liked the most was they respected my thoughts and opinions.”

Juliette Dennett of Dale Carnegie commented: 

“Working with the young people of Ethos College has been a special privilege for members of the Dale Carnegie team who helped deliver the Generation Next programme in partnership with the Town Foundation.   

“It has been inspiring to witness them develop self-confidence and social skills and really push themselves outside their comfort zones. We hope that in some small way we have helped to prepare them for their lives beyond school.” 

Mandy Taylor, Fundraising Manager for the Town Foundation, added: 

“It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to facilitate this new relationship between Dale Carnegie and Ethos College; two superb organisations that the charity really enjoys working with. 

“From the comments of the students they’ve found this six week course very worthwhile, so it’s great to once again make a difference to the lives of young people in our community.” 

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