Gordon Brown was guest of honour as Birmingham City hosted an event to create opportunities for youngsters.
Club chairman David Gold was on hand to welcome the Prime Minister to St Andrew’s as Blues lent their support to ‘Backing Young Britain’. The event gave a group of 16 to 24-year-olds from different backgrounds and from across the country the chance to debate with a panel including Mr Brown, Yvette Cooper MP and leaders from the business world.
Prior to the ‘Question Time’ style discussion in the Gold Suite there was also an opportunity for the youngsters to meet representatives from companies such as Asda and Virgin Media, who are currently investing heavily in young people, and also to learn more about apprenticeships, scholarships and voluntary work from other organisations including The Prince’s Trust.
Hard Work
There was also a chance for the St. Andrew’s visitors to meet young Blues professional players Ashley Sammons and Mitch McPike – examples of teenagers who have made great strides within an organisation through hard work and dedication.
Questions, challenges and points put to the panel included what are the Government, business and voluntary organisations doing to help young people into work and what hints or tips would they give to youngsters trying to find employment.
The event was a huge success as youngsters were given the chance to mingle with people from all different walks of life in the inspirational setting of a professional football club.
Fantastic Club
Mr Brown himself seemed impressed with the choice of venue. On arrival at St. Andrew’s he said: “How nice to be at such a great football club. You certainly have yourselves a fantastic club and it’s wonderful to be here.”
Panellists also included inventor and entrepreneur Imran Hakim, Chief Executive of the Prince’s Trust Martina Milburn, Chief Executive of Centrica PLC Sam Laidlaw and Virgin Media’s Director of Talent Jill Youds.
For more information on Backing Young Britain click here