We sponsor climbing wall at Pennywell Fellowship launch event
We are proud to have supported the launch of the Pennywell Fellowship, a pioneering initiative led by the Laidlaw Schools Trust in Sunderland, by sponsoring a community climbing wall at their high-profile event.
The Fellowship brings together six schools across Pennywell to tackle the challenges faced by students and families in the area — challenges that have been steadily eroded by funding cuts. By fostering collaboration between schools and local partners, the Fellowship aims to break down barriers to opportunity through careers fairs, shared best practices, and community engagement.
As part of the launch event, we funded the installation of a climbing wall provided by The Sunderland Wall, giving students a chance to engage in a fun, confidence-building activity. As one of the three core objectives of the Pennywell Fellowship is enrichment, the climbing wall was a highly engaging example of how local children can build the confidence to access wider enrichment opportunities, such as visiting Sunderland Wall itself, and to understand that they belong in these spaces just as much as anyone else.
The wall was installed in a central location at the event and staffed by professionals, with signage proudly displaying our sponsorship.
The event was attended by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, local and national press, and a wide range of community stakeholders. It marked the beginning of what is being hailed as the first partnership of its kind in England, with the potential to create lasting impact for some of the region’s most hard-to-reach students.
Ashleigh Coombes, Social Value Manager at Wates, attended the event.
It was inspiring to see the energy and commitment from everyone involved in the Pennywell Fellowship. Supporting initiatives like this aligns perfectly with Wates’ values and our commitment to social value and community investment.”
Ashleigh Coombes
Social Value Manager at Wates
We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Laidlaw Schools Trust and exploring further opportunities to support their students and families.
