An inspirational intervention at Teesside

A dynamic company visited the University to engage with over 200 primary and secondary pupils from across the Tees Valley.

Humanutopia is an expanding company with an increasing national reputation, working mainly in schools to deliver intensive programmes in behavioural intervention.

They facilitated a conference at the University’s Olympia Building on 15 June, marking the third day of Universities Week, a nationwide celebration of the vital role higher education plays in the country’s social, cultural and economic life.

Humanutopia worked with over 200 students, in the morning undertaking student leadership workshops with Year 9 students from the Tees Valley. Teesside University and local sixth-form students acted as ambassadors in the workshops, which were repeated in the afternoon with local primary school pupils.

Gaining confidence and inspiration Graham Moore, Business Partner in humanutopia, said: ‘Our work is based around the life-changing ‘Heroes Journey’ which seeks to help young people gain confidence and inspiration to create a strong future for themselves.

‘Humanutopia design, develop and run a series of powerful school-based workshops which motivate young people and adults working in schools to reflect and improve on their current attitudes and behaviours.

‘The workshops are dynamic and interactive, encouraging people to halt negative cycles and build a new set of life skills. Each builds on the previous one as young people are motivated to break out of their comfort zones and try new experiences which help develop confidence, self-esteem and aspirations.’ David Anderson, 15, has been working with humanutopia in his school, Freebrough Academy in East Cleveland, since the start of 2010 and also attended the conference.

He said: ‘I’ve got more confidence with everybody. Their activities have helped me through a lot of things if I have problems.’

Looking forward to University Harris Sajhir, 14, from Grangefield School, Stockton, said: ‘I’ve learned a lot, that if I aim for something I will get it. Overall the University is excellent and I’d like to come here in the future and study engineering, my Dad’s an engineer.’

Demi-Leigh Stephenson, 10, from Abingdon School, Middlesbrough, added: ‘I’ve never been to the University before and I’m learning all about it. The University is good and I want to be an actress when I’m older.’

Jason Forrest, 20, a second-year Civil Engineering student, worked as a student mentor at the event and said: ‘It’s been insightful and a good opportunity to try and help make a difference.’

Lynn Parker, Director of Educational Partnerships at the University invited humanutopia to deliver the event.

She said: ‘Over the last seven years humanutopia has established a very successful record of working intensively with school pupils to help change attitudes and cultures.

‘Their leadership workshops raise student self esteem and the student voice, while working in parallel with school staff. They have been working with Freebrough and Thornaby Academies for the last year, alongside Teesside University, the Academies’ lead sponsor, supported by the co-sponsor colleges and local authorities. This conference brings us all together with our common goals of raising achievement and aspirations.’

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