S A L F O R D

A P P R E N T I C E

Salford University is running an inspirational course for local activists who may not have had much in the way of formal education but are determined to change their areas for the better. Helen Clifton sits in

Agitate

The atmosphere among the students sitting in a small room in Pendleton Gateway resource centre is charged, almost revolutionary. How on earth do you live here, in this society, and have not soaked up, not have running through your veins and in your bloodstream, something of the profit and loss thinking? asks Suryia Nayak, social work lecturer at Salford University. In other words, we cant live in this society and not be affected by some of the politics and some of the thinking. Even if we hate it. The assembled group, a mix of ages, genders and races, voraciously scribble notes. They look as if the penny has just dropped. For many, Nayaks take on poverty is their first introduction to academic learning. And they are lapping it up. The class is part of the 12-week Salford Apprentice course, a school of participation that aims to educate local community activists in the workings of local government and give them a grounding in social policy. Run by Church Action on Povertys (CAP) Community Pride Unit, in partnership with Salford University, the thinking behind the course is twofold: helping the students gain the skills to create change in their communities and the confidence to overcome personal barriers. Course costs of around 1,300 per person are paid for by funding raised by CAP; this year, fees were met by the Network for Social Change and an anonymous fund. And for some, becoming an Apprentice has changed their lives. During a difficult childhood being brought up by two heroin-addicted parents although her father has
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now recovered education wasnt a priority for 27-year-old Sarah Whitehead. The mum of one was offered a scholarship to a local grammar school but turned it down for fear of not fitting in. In my head all those things were spinning round and stopping me from breaking out and saying: This is me, Whitehead explains. But the Apprentice gave me confidence. I felt empowered. Inspired by what she had learnt, Whitehead decided she wanted to create an alley garden on her street. Supported by the local Seedley and Langworthy Trust, she created a residents association. And despite fears about the apathy of her neighbours, 20 people turned up to the first meeting of We started to the BCD Community see areas Gardens where we Association. didnt think The association secured a 1,000 the money grant to transform was being the rubbish-filled spent right or alley into a being evenly community distributed. garden, complete with murals, hanging baskets and vegetables. And since Whitehead spruced up her alley, the surrounding streets have been inspired to do the same. I think the sense of achievement came on the day we did the actual clean-up and so many people came out with the tools to help, she says. There was about 20 to 25 people all getting stuck in, cleaning up and speaking to each other. I took a moment to stand and watch them all and think: I organised this. Its a good feeling.

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Previous page: Sarah Whitehead in the alley garden she inspired on her street. Above: with Joyce Kay of the Community Pride Unit at the Salford Apprentice course

In March 2011, together with other Salford Apprentice graduates, Whitehead created the Weaste Area Forum. The area is often neglected in favour of affluent neighbours, yet parts of Weaste are amongst the top 7 per cent of deprived areas in the country. As we attended various meetings, we found that Weaste was really under-represented. So we wanted everyone to know. And we started to see areas where we didnt think the money was being spent right or being evenly distributed. And it was mainly because people in Weaste werent asking for money, Whitehead says. Despite never previously voting, or even knowing who her councillors were, Whitehead now has close working relationships with local politicians. Weve got that network now where weve got links into everywhere. We generally will help in any way that we can to get people involved, build their confidence and their skills. Councillors will come to us for help now. They do listen to us because they know that were not going to go away. With the help of some donated computers, the forum has transformed the local social club into

a community hub, with a weekly jobs club, community caf and gym. Whitehead is now a mentor for other Salford Apprentices. And, after years of unemployment, she now works as a research assistant co-ordinator for Church Action on Poverty and hopes to set up her own school of participation for ex-offenders. When we first met Sarah, she conveyed a very negative picture of her life: that shed always been treated as if she would not succeed, and there was very Councillors do little opportunity for her to develop listen to us because they her education, says Maureen know that McMahon, senior lecturer in nursing were not at Salford going to go University. away. But she started to think beyond her own ideas and feelings about things. She then started to escalate what she was learning into her own community in a very informed way. And she was getting results. And its the results that seemed to reinforce to her that she could do better. She became a shining star. McMahon says it is crucial that people like Whitehead exist to inspire others to make change.

Sarah is a prominent figure in her community. It goes back to that ripple effect. People can see what benefits it has brought to Sarah and how she can stand up and fight her corner in an assertive way. And they want to get on board. This has brought the community together. I didnt intend for it to be, but it has been an example to other people, Whitehead agrees. And other people have come to me and said: Youre an inspiration. When you can see what you can do when you get involved, it makes people really want to do it. Joyce Kay of the Community Pride Unit adds: This is the second year that we have run the Salford Apprentice course and once again it has been a great success. One of the main benefits to participants is an increase in their confidence and skills, particularly in relation to involvement in the community where, perhaps for the first time, they become confident to take on decision making roles where they can make a difference to their own lives and others. Salford University leads the country in supporting students to enter university through alternative assessment like the Apprentice course.

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Salford has a history of engaging with the local community and offers non-traditional learners the chance to enter university courses through assessing their prior experiences and learning, explains Ruth Potts, accreditation of prior learning coordinator. The Salford Apprentice programme offers people in Salford the opportunity to enter a full university programme and to take on a more influential role in their community and become involved in local decisionPeople can making. see how Sarah Following can stand up completion of the course, Apprentice and fight her attendees register at Salford corner in an University to assertive complete a way. portfolio that documents their learning. The portfolio is equivalent to a 16-week part-time module and earns students 20 credits. During the module students are given access to university resources, and classes in study skills, just like any other fulltime student. It is hoped that some of the 22 people who have so far completed the course will eventually go on to become degree students.

It is not an easy option though. We expect them to be able to prove themselves academically, says Potts. We want them to think that it is their university. This is our investment in them. And when they realise they are capable of accessing academic study, its a massive achievement. Its Sarahs university. She can come into the University of Salford and not think twice. We cannot get into the community where Sarah is; we can only hope to educate her so she makes the difference. And thats really rewarding. Shes marvellous. Back in the classroom in Salford, the discussion moves on to notions of difference. One attendee talks about how she has been racially abused but was unsure of how to stand up to the abuse. Another tells of a time she saw some local youths draw swastikas on a wall. Everyone has a tale to relate. Whitehead points out that a lack of education is often the reason for prejudice, and Nayak adds that those in power often create policies that seem to support prejudice. The atmosphere is frank and open; the discussion moves on to the brutal murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve who was shot less than a mile away in nearby Ordsall on Boxing Day 2011. Last month local man Kiaran

Students taking notes on the Apprentice course and (above) Maureen McMahon, Salford University lecturer. Photos: Helen Clifton

Stapleton was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years for the murder. Whitehead, who says she first came to the Apprentice with a misconception and a lack of understanding about issues including immigration, adds that this is the part of the course that really changed her perspective. I realised that society is given ways to deal with certain things but isnt given anything to deal with difference. Anything thats different from you, or you dont understand, you either fear it or you fight against it. And although she is still sceptical about all the public consultations about policy in Salford, she now attends them all. I want to be heard and have my say. I have created changes with my voice. And that just proves to me that I can do it and should continue to.
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