GRAHAM proudly sponsored Distington Community School on the Bright Stars programme, a primary school located close to the new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in Workington which GRAHAM is building.
What is Bright Stars?
Spearheaded by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP), Bright Stars is an innovative initiative designed to foster leadership and social entrepreneurship among primary school children in Cumbria. The competition pairs local businesses with schools, providing students with £50 seed funding to create and grow their own mini social enterprises over a 12-week period.
The school receives guidance and support from a local business, encouraging pupils to think creatively and strategically about how to grow their initial investment. The goal is to make a profit while inspiring young minds, developing essential skills and making a positive impact on the local community.
How DCS FUNdraisers made a positive impact
DCS FUNdraisers, the students’ social enterprise venture, successfully ended their trading period on 9th December after implementing some fantastic business ideas that included designing and selling their own ‘Winter Warmers’ recipe book, hosting a movie night and cake sale.
Due to the children’s strong teamwork, leadership and creative thinking they achieved a £1,087 profit.
Emily Heaton, PPA Teacher at Distington Community School, said:
“We’d like to thank everyone at GRAHAM for all their help and support throughout. We wouldn't have made half the profit we have without it! Also, for finalising the children's design ideas for their cookbook, it is amazing and they're all really proud of what they have achieved.
The Bright Stars project has been great for getting the children involved in a social enterprise. It has allowed each and every one of them to get involved and think about how we could also involve their parents and the local community. They have learnt loads about being part of a business and the different strands that they could work within. Finally, it taught them the life skill of going out, working and earning money means that they can have the reward of choosing how the money is spent or what it goes towards.”
GRAHAM’s motivation
As GRAHAM is currently building the new CDC in Workington for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC), it was important to connect with the local community.
The Bright Stars programme provided GRAHAM with an opportunity to collaborate with local students, nurturing young talent and contributing to the development of future leaders while strengthening community ties.
Damian McCabe, Contracts Manager at GRAHAM, said:
“GRAHAM was delighted to be a Bright Stars sponsor, an initiative which is instrumental in shaping the workforce and next generation entrepreneurs. We’ve seen the immense benefits the programme provides for children in Cumbria, enabling them to learn key business principles. It was a pleasure to help guide these students with their ideas and see their hard work pay off by turning a profit – we may have met some future Lord Alan Sugar’s!”
About the new CDC in Workington
The new £19m CDC in Workington town centre will cut waiting times, providing patients in West Cumbria with access to diagnostic care closer to home. The Centre will contain six new treatment rooms, MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound scanning and consultation facilities.
The main structure of the CDC is now complete, including the roof, windows and external walls, making the facility fully weatherproof. Internally, works are progressing rapidly with the installation of internal walls, electrical and mechanical systems. In the new year, we will see the installation of floor finishes, doors, and ceilings, preparing the facility for completion by mid-2025.
