A Swinton based training academy that specialises in teaching trade skills to disadvantaged young people has been recognised at the Spirit of Salford Awards.
The academy, Quick Bricks, won the award for their dedication towards young people in the community, with the ambition of offering a different alternative to school education.
The class are designed to work with students and young people who struggle with mainstream school, as they aim to re-engage them with learning.
The training academy opened by Gary Partridge has been offering children across Salford the chance to learn construction skills, whilst regaining confidence and motivations.
Gary said: “I always wanted to give back to the community.
“And there are a lot of kids that struggle with mainstream schooling, and the pathways offered to them, and not all kids are confident enough at putting pen to paper.
“So we wanted to offer a different type of schooling – I have always believed that some people learn better when they are shown what to do.”
He continued: “And through this project we have been able to help young people get apprenticeships and scholarships to school – as they are learning positive skills.”
Gary also shared why this is important to himself, he added: “I got kicked out of school, when I was growing up and I was always told I wouldn’t do anything with my life.
“But luckily when I was younger I got an apprenticeship, and was able to then own my building firm.
“But I realised that other people needed that support, and I wanted to help people. So I decided to start Quick Brick training academy.
He continued: “I set it up myself, and was able to get my partner to join me – and now we just want to help as many kids as possible.”
And with strong motivations, he has been able to help children from different backgrounds to find a new pathway in life.
Whether through the initial pathway of bricklaying, the children will also be show pathways of joinery, plastering, groundwork, and tiling.
Gary continued: “We are giving these kids a different chance in life, and we hope to be role models for them going forward.”
This is also furthered on the Quick Brick website which says: “We carry a strong ethos within our company that each individual student can develop their education further within a setting that’s more fit for students, and we have a passion for preparing the student for future employment.”
And it seems that he was rewarded for his community support, winning the Best Child Friendly Project award.
Receiving the award for their work in the community, Gary said: “We were nominated from one of the families for the award – we don’t know who it was.
“We were able to win the award, which was amazing, and we were given the award by the Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett.
Gary continued: “And he even said that he will come to visit us, but when we won the award it was amazing as it were a build of everything.
“It was such a relief, as we have put so much into it, not just me but the whole team – it was just good to be notice.”
Gary also shared the impact that it has had on the children, he said: “The children have seen major changes to themselves. They always show us great respect and we want to give them as much as possible back.
“But all we are doing is building awareness to kids that there is more options and there are more opportunities out there for them.
“Even if they don’t like the building trade we want to help them know there’s more out there for them,” he added: “They are turning into fantastic young men.”
However, it seems that Gary intends to expand further and help more in the community, with a passion for helping those over the age of 16 also.
Gary continued: “We want to open another unit for people who want to change their lives.
“Whether people are struggling, or homeless we want to give back and give everyone a chance. All I want to do is give back, as society is losing the ability to give back.
“Some people need extra support and I just want to help as much as I can, anyway I can.”
But with a strong focus on the community it seems that Quick Bricks are laying solid foundations for the future generations in Salford.
More information about the work that Quick Brick do in the community can be found here.
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