University to boost young people’s aspirations

The University of Derby has joined a national initiative, which aims to raise the aspirations of young people by offering them free opportunities to learn new skills.

It has joined the National Saturday Club network – and will be launching a new Society and Change Saturday Club for 13 to 16-year-olds in Derby.

Free and open to young people of all abilities, the Saturday Club will run from 4 March.

The club will run be run at Derby County Community Trust’s Community Corner, at Pride Park Stadium and Artcore, in Charnwood Street.

The National Saturday Club offers young people a unique free opportunity to explore subjects they love, build new skills, discover their talents, meet new people, and to explore future study and career possibilities.

Weekly Saturday classes will be led by tutors who will cover a breadth of topics, including society and change.

Club members will also participate in National Saturday Club events, including masterclasses with leading industry professionals.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “We are committed to raising the aspirations of young people within our city and county, opening doors to opportunities that enable them to enhance their future career prospects by developing new skills and growing in confidence.

“By joining the National Saturday Club network, we are able to expand our provision by giving 13 to 16-year-olds, who have an interest in creative and artistic practice, a place where they can spend time exploring issues that matter to them, providing them with an outlet to be creative and a platform to have their voices heard.

“We are delighted to be announcing our involvement in this network and cannot wait to welcome the first cohort of Saturday Club members to Derby.”