Businesswoman secures partnership with John Lewis to support young learners
A Birmingham businesswoman and entrepreneur has secured a partnership with the John Lewis Partnership which sees the organisation sponsoring her acclaimed 'Little Chicks Life Lessons ' education programme, as part of its commitment to young people and care leavers.
Little Chicks Life Lessons, founded by Midlands businesswoman Alison Delaney, is a ground-breaking education initiative for UK Primary Schools, focused on building confidence, self-belief, resilience and financial awareness in children and teachers alike.
Through educational storytelling and engagement, children are given the tools and space to explore and develop their dreams and aspirations, to identify the unique and special qualities they possess to be the best they can be, and to increase the understanding of saving and healthy financial habits.
The sponsorship by the John Lewis Partnership will ensure that the Little Chicks Life Lessons education programme will be delivered across a number of primary schools in the West Midlands.
It will reach around 700 children, from 4 to 11 years old, enabling them to participate in the programme which delivers key life lessons and skills designed to help them through life, with the aim of also impacting children who have experienced the care system during childhood.
Alison Delaney has also been appointed to the building happier futures advisory group which has been established by the John Lewis Partnership as part of its longer-term commitment to driving change and unlocking the potential of children and young people who have been in care.
Alison Delaney (pictured) said, “The Little Chicks Life Lessons education programme is a valuable tool for organisations looking to maximise and deliver meaningful social value impact through community engagement and I am delighted that the John Lewis Partnership has come on board as a key sponsor.
“With their funding and support we can ensure that we deliver our programme to more UK schools and meaningfully impact the lives of children who need this dedicated support.
“Having been adopted as a child at 3 months old and having supported over 10,000 children and teachers both in the UK and Africa through my education programmes, I have seen first-hand the positive impact on young people when they are given the right support, tools and opportunities to thrive. ”
Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, Dame Sharon White, said: “Children and young people whose childhoods were spent in care face profound challenges. Young people who are care experienced are more likely to be made homeless than to go to university. Thousands of young people with potential are being overlooked in the national conversation and that urgently needs to change. ”
Charlotte Lock, Pan-Partnership customer director of The John Lewis Partnership, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Little Bird People Development to fund the delivery of the 'Little Chicks Life Lessons ' education programme to primary school children in the Solihull borough.
“I am delighted that Alison Delaney is one of the voices on our Building Happier Futures Advisory Group and will help to ensure that our programme delivers on its objectives and makes a real difference to the future prospects of young people. ”