We not only share the values of these two charities, but felt that both would benefit from our particular areas of expertise. So Working Voices arranged a trip to India to visit the two organisations.
First up was Future Hope in Kolkata, a home and school for former street children originally set up 25 years ago by British banker Tim Grandage. Kolkata is a city infamous for its poverty and homelessness. However, when I visited Future Hope I was delighted to discover an institution with a very positive, safe and friendly environment. The young people there were wonderfully cheerful, mature and polite. I ran two workshops over the weekend for some of the eldest students. We focused on confidence and soft skills, with a particular emphasis on presentations and interview technique. The following week three of the workshop participants spoke in assembly to great acclaim. I hope they keep up the good work and, also, that I will get the chance to visit Future Hope again.
[About Nick Fordham]
“Thank you for the outstanding company and a job well done. The feedback has been terrific and three of your prodigies spoke in assembly today about how much they gained from the workshop… People such as yourself make a huge difference to the quality of our programme”
[Email to our CEO]
“I am writing to thank you for sponsoring Nick Fordham, who not only represented your company superbly but gave our boys and girls a thoroughly professional and entertaining workshop at FHS on skills’ presentation, body language and emotional intelligence. This has been a crucial area of need at our school for some time… There are few better things to observe in education than the emergent young person who finds that inner voice. I cannot thank you enough for allowing this to happen the way it did.”
Mike Thomson
CEO
“Thank you so much for your terrific seminars. The impact was tangible this morning when Michael asked three children to speak in front of assembly… They were brilliant and received genuine applause.”
Libby Thomson
Volunteer co-ordinator
Future Hope is a charitable organisation which provides opportunity through its homes, school and medical programme for some of the most vulnerable children from the streets and slums of Kolkata, India. Every night children sleep alone on the streets and around the city’s main stations. Many are ill, most suffer serious forms of exploitation and all are vulnerable. Future Hope works to change the lives of destitute children and help them to become independent, self-supporting members of society.
To find out more please visit their website: http://www.futurehope.net/
