News: Social value network highlights careers inspiration at Skills Street

Business leaders from across South Yorkshire experienced first-hand how an innovative careers education facility is helping to deliver measurable social value for the region’s young people and employers.

South Yorkshire’s Giving Network (SYGN) brought together networkers at Skills Street in Rotherham for a special event focused on linking business social value ambitions with practical careers education.

Hosted at the immersive facility – which features a real-life airport lounge and plane cabin, aviation training suite, health centre and hands-on construction site – the session explored how practical learning environments can help address regional skills gaps while supporting companies to meet their own social value targets.

Since opening in 2025 next to Gulliver’s Theme Park Rother Valley, more than 4,000 young people have taken part in sessions at Skills Street. Visiting students rotate through four themed zones, each lasting 45 minutes, gaining sector-specific skills to broaden their aspirations and improve employability.

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James Beighton, Development Lead at Skills Street, said: "Skills Street is all about inspiring the next generation. We know there are significant workforce gaps across South Yorkshire, particularly around essential soft skills as well as sector-specific roles.

"We’ve created a unique facility that changes perceptions of industries, educates and inspires children from primary age upwards, and helps them become better informed about future career opportunities. We cover 14 sectors, all age-appropriate, offering hands-on practical experiences from construction and STEM to aviation and leisure.

"We’ve looked closely at what South Yorkshire needs and where the skills gaps are, and we’re aiming to help plug those gaps. We are keen to continue developing the space so that even more young people can benefit. This facility is unique to South Yorkshire and something we should all be getting behind."

South Yorkshire’s Giving Network (SYGN) has been developed by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF).

Through SYGN, SYCF works with businesses committed to delivering social value across South Yorkshire to help them build connections and create measurable community impact.

Michelle Dickinson, Head of Philanthropy and Programmes at South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, said: "This was an incredible opportunity to bring together our networkers to show how collaboration between businesses and facilities such as Skills Street can deliver shared value.

"Skills Street is an absolutely fantastic facility. We are so grateful to James and his team, along with Gulliver’s Valley and the Work-wise Foundation, for supporting and hosting such an engaging and thought-provoking event."

South Yorkshire's Giving Network website
Skills Street website

Images: SYCF

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News: AESSEAL's charitable fund grows to £2.3m

The multi award winning Rotherham manufacturer, AESSEAL has created a new £500,000 AESSEAL Lieutenancy Fund, which will be administered by the South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF).

The new fund adds to the £1.8m already committed by AESSEAL plc to support charities in South Yorkshire, bringing the company’s support for the Foundation to £2.3m.

The company, which has its global headquarters at Templeborough, says that during the pandemic it was able to target support to local charities who were in great need, based upon feedback from the unique network of local Deputy Lieutenants, who assist the region’s Lord-Lieutenant in representing His Majesty the King.

Chris Rea, the Managing Director of AESSEAL plc said: “The purpose of the Fund is to reach into the community and support local organisations that do not have a national voice and many of which are run by a large number of unpaid volunteers. Deputy Lieutenants, who are all also volunteers, often have in-depth knowledge of local needs that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

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AESSEAL plc established charitable funds at SYCF in 2010 and this is the third charitable fund administered by SYCF on behalf of AESSEAL plc. The other two are the AESSEAL Charitable Trust Grassroots Endowment Fund for South Yorkshire, valued at approximately £1.1m, and the AESSEAL Charitable Trust Community First Fund for South Yorkshire, valued at approximately £721,000.

Chris Rea said: “Modern business exists to serve all of the stakeholders and that includes supporting those in need in the communities that we rely on for our current and future workforce.”

AESSEAL designs and makes mechanical seals and support systems for a wide range of global industries including oil and gas, food, water, mining and pharmaceuticals.

AESSEAL website
SYCF website

Images: AESSEAL

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News: Youth club receives £4,000 from UKSE and AESSEAL

A Rotherham youth group that promotes the personal and social development of children aged eight to eleven has received funding from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) and AESSEAL to help fund its activities over the next 12 months.

The funding provided by UKSE - a subsidiary of Tata Steel tasked with assisting the economic regeneration of communities affected by changes in the steel industry – and AESSEAL, manufacturer of mechanical seals and support systems, will provide Brampton Junior Youth Club with operational funding to cover the costs of service provision.

Provided from the UKSE Charitable Fund managed by the South Yorkshire Community Fund (SYCF), a charitable endowment funding programme that raises and distributes grants to community projects across South Yorkshire, the funding from UKSE and AESSEAL will continue the increased access to local services for the children of Brampton.

Brampton Junior Youth Club, established in 2005 and based at Cortonwood Comeback Centre, supports children's learning, enhances their achievement and contributes to social welfare and community development through the provision of weekly centre-based sessions ran by qualified youth workers.

Providing a safe-haven and structured learning space for children in the Brampton area, the group also offers a holiday activity scheme which encompasses issue-based workshops, activities and trips.

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Denise Lelliot, leader at Brampton Junior Youth Club, said: "We are delighted to have secured this funding from UKSE, preserving the provision of our youth club for a further 12 months.

"Brampton is amongst the top 14 per cent most deprived areas nationwide, with the most severe form of deprivation manifesting itself in education, leading to low attainment and qualification levels.

"Our services allow some of the most socially excluded and disadvantaged young people to be engaged in the local community, as we continue to present them with the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and understanding of society."

Alongside providing social inclusion measures, Brampton Junior Youth Club also operates an early intervention approach to reduce the risk of children being caught up in "at-risk" behaviour.

Keith Williams, regional manager at UKSE, said: "Youth clubs play an important role in the community, particularly in deprived areas. As well as promoting mental and physical wellbeing, Brampton Junior Youth Club provides a safe haven and an environment which encourages the development of social skills and self-esteem, crucial for the future development of the children."

Ruth Willis, chief executive of SYCF, added: "A large amount of the grants we distribute to local community organisations are for projects working with children and young people. These groups work to meet the needs of these young people, to grow their potential, their ambitions and to give them a better start in life.

"Without groups like Brampton Junior Youth Club, so many of our young people would be worse off. We are proud to enable the funding from UKSE and AESSEAL to have such profound impact on local lives and thank them for their continued generosity."

SYCF website
UKSE website
AESSEAL website

Images: UKSE

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News: SY100 scheme launches

A new patronage scheme has been launched by South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (SYCF) to enable local businesses to support their communities.

Raising funds from businesses, trusts, philanthropists and statuary bodies, the foundation aims to meet the needs of local people facing economic hardship and other barriers to aspiration, thereby improving lives in the communities. Founded in 1986, the registered charity has raised and distributed £24m.

The SY100 scheme has been launched to provide a simple and effective way for local businesses and individuals to make a positive difference on their own doorstep and to help continue the foundation’s essential work.

Julie A Kenny, chair and CEO of the Rotherham-based electronic security manufacturer, Pyronix, and SYCF trustee has signed on as the founding SY100 member and ambassador to the scheme.

Kenny (pictured, right) said: "Deep inequalities are present across South Yorkshire between different communities and people. If we aspire to make a positive change and narrow the gap between successful individuals and companies and seriously deprived communities, we must work together. By joining SY100 you can demonstrate your commitment to and make a real contribution to your local communities."

SY100 is a patronage scheme that sees businesses set up an annual donation that works best for them. Become a friend with a donation of £500, a supporter for £1,000 or an ambassador with a £2,000 donation.

Recent research by UK Community Foundations has revealed a need for infrastructure that helps people give to charities working below the radar. 85% of donations go to the biggest 5% of charities which local groups doing outstanding work simply cannot compete with.

South Yorkshire's Community Foundation specialises and has nearly 30 years of experience in reaching and supporting the smallest grassroots groups working on a local level. This makes supporting SYCF by joining the SY100 the perfect way for businesses and individuals to give effectively in their local area.

SYCF website

Images: SYCF

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News: AESSEAL establish community first endowment fund

A new initiative, the Community First Endowment Match Challenge, has been launched in South Yorkshire as a part of the nationwide Community First programme to promote local giving and help the most disadvantaged in our communities.

Leading Rotherham manufacturer, AESSEAL, is the first organisation to set up a Community First Endowment Fund.

Administered by the South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) on behalf of the Templeborough firm, the fund will see the Government provide £1 for every £2 raised.

It follows from AESSEAL's charitable endowment fund worth almost £1m created through SYCF's Grassroots Grants Endowment Challenge.

Pauline Grice, CEO of SYCF said: "The Community First Endowment Match Challenge will raise over £3.5m in endowments that will support our communities both over the longer term and provide immediate grant making where it is needed most."

Gordon Bridge, director of AESSEAL, added: "AESSEAL remains committed to supporting the charitable work done in local communities and is delighted to be the first donor to the new Community First Endowment Fund."

AESSEAL is the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business. They specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems for process equipment, maximising reliability and protecting the environment from leakage.

AESSEAL website

SYCF website

Images: SYCF

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News: AESSEAL's charity fund

The £1m charitable endowment fund from Rotherham manufacturing firm, AESSEAL, has begun providing the first grants to vital community initiatives in South Yorkshire.

The Templeborough firm made several donations throughout the South Yorkshire Community Foundation's (SYCF) three year Grassroots Grants Endowment Challenge and became the largest corporate donor.

One of the first grants was made to Barkers Park Bowling Club in Rotherham that has been successful in encouraging young people to pick up the game.

Roy Cooke, treasurer at the Kimberworth Park Club, said: "Over the past three weeks we have had the company of the youth group. They received bowling tuition from myself and other club members, whose help has been invaluable.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank South Yorkshire Community Foundation for providing the funding. It has enabled us to purchase enough equipment for our ever increasing membership which is now 40-strong."

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL, said: "When we committed to supporting the Grassroots Grants endowment challenge we knew that it was truly an investment in the future of our local communities.

"This grant to Barkers Park Bowling Club is just the first of many that will be made from the fund and we look forward to seeing the exciting projects that we are linked to in the future.

Thanks to the pound for pound match funding and tax advantages on charitable giving, AESSEAL's endowment fund is worth almost £1m, from which the interest will be distributed to local projects year on year.

Chris Rea, added: "We are absolutely delighted to have been part of this groundbreaking endowment challenge to help the long term development of community projects throughout South Yorkshire.

"Since 1981 the Company has consistently grown and felt it was appropriate to put something back into the area that has been so helpful in our business development."

SYCF website
AESSEAL website

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News: AESSEAL become SYCF's biggest corporate donor

Rotherham manufacturing firm, AESSEAL, has become the South Yorkshire Community Foundation's (SYCF) biggest corporate donor to date through the Grassroots Grants Endowment Challenge.

The Templeborough firm made several donations throughout the three year programme that, after match funding, created a charitable endowment fund in their name worth almost £1m.

The company's final donations made in recent months have been crucial in allowing SYCF to meet its match funding targets ahead of schedule and also take advantage of extra match funding not used in other areas.

Through the national Grassroots Grants Endowment Challenge, SYCF worked in partnership with a range of generous donors to make sure South Yorkshire took full advantage of the match funding.

AESSEAL helped the foundation meet a target to raise £1.7m that, after pound for pound match funding, created a pot of £3.4m for South Yorkshire.

But in just the last few weeks AESSEAL also matched £85,000 of allocation that hadn't been taken up elsewhere in the UK to take the total raised for South Yorkshire to £3.57m.

Gordon Bridge, Director at AESSEAL, said: "We are now looking forward to seeing the great benefit that AESSEAL's charitable fund will have for worthy causes throughout South Yorkshire."

The pot will sit in an endowed fund, with the income going out in grants to vital community projects for years to come from April 2011.

Pauline Grice, chief executive of SYCF, said: "By meeting this challenge, the people of South Yorkshire have shown a real commitment and appreciation of how important it is to support the area for the long term.

"AESSEAL is a shining example of a community focussed organisation that has a real commitment to improving the area in which it operates.

"We are delighted that through Grassroots Grants they have become our biggest corporate donor."

AESSEAL is the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business. They specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems for process equipment, maximising reliability and protecting the environment from leakage.

SYCF website
AESSEAL website

Images: aesseal.co.uk

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News: I Love Rotherham

Love is in the air in Rotherham, with local businesses set to show how much they care about the town through a new community focused initiative.

The "I Love Rotherham" campaign is giving businesses the opportunity to make a real difference to the area by tackling local issues at a grassroots level.

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation is running the campaign and will help businesses think innovatively about how they can provide assistance to communities in need in addition to financial support.

This might typically include volunteers to assist with a community project, providing spare meeting places for groups or pro bono work.

The first to sign up as a founding partner is Parkgate Shopping. Denis Copeland, manager of Parkgate Shopping, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have made our contribution and joined up as the founder supporter of the "I Love Rotherham" campaign.

"Rotherham and all its communities mean a lot to us, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to support local people and the many unsung heroes who already make a difference through this initiative.


"We would urge all local businesses and organisations to get behind this campaign and show their love for Rotherham."

SYCF website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: SYCF

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News: AESSEAL's charitable fund reaches £500,000

Leading Rotherham manufacturer, AESSEAL has become the first ever organisation to hold a half a million pound charitable endowment fund with the South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF).


The Templeborough firm already had a fund worth more than £250,000 to secure the future of community projects in the area, but with a further instalment has smashed through the half million barrier.

Through the Grassroots Grants programme, SYCF can match all monies pound for pound, but thanks to gift aid and tax relief that can be claimed on charitable donations, AESSEAL's fund increased by four times the actual cost of their donation.

While the permanent capital fund of £557,670 will support communities in South Yorkshire forever, AESSEAL has also made a donation of £25,000 available to provide immediate support to groups and projects in the area.

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL, said: "Rotherham has been a great place to establish and grow a business.

"Since 1981 we have consistently grown and felt it was appropriate to put something back into the area that has been so helpful in our business development.

"We knew this was a very time limited opportunity to take advantage of what is a groundbreaking match funding offer so we were eager to make our donation.

"We are now looking forward to seeing the great benefit that AESSEAL's charitable fund will have for worthy causes throughout South Yorkshire."

AESSEAL is the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business. They specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems for process equipment, maximising reliability and protecting the environment from leakage.

AESSEAL website
SYCF website

Images: brchamber.co.uk

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News: AESSEAL establishes charitable fund for Rotherham

Rotherham manufacturer, AESSEAL has demonstrated its commitment to the local community by establishing a charitable fund to help secure the future of some local groups and projects.


Through the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, the firm has taken advantage of a government match funding offer to create a permanent capital fund of £192,000, from which the interest will support community groups in Rotherham forever.

Chris Rea, managing director of AESSEAL, said: "South Yorkshire has been a great place to establish and grow a business. Since 1981 we have consistently grown and felt it was appropriate to put something back into the area that had been so helpful in our business development.

"Directing the company's charitable giving through SYCF will enable us to provide grant funding to grassroots groups that do valuable work to create a better future for people in our local communities."

With their global headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL is the world's fourth largest mechanical seal business. They specialise in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals, bearing protectors and environmental control systems for process equipment, maximising reliability and protecting the environment from leakage.

AESSEAL has also made a donation of £25,000 available to provide immediate support to groups and projects in the area.

Pauline Grice, chief executive of SYCF said: "Rotherham is full of businesses, organisations and individuals that do fantastic work to support local communities. The pound for pound match funding made available by the government has created a massive incentive for giving through its effect of doubling the community impact of any donations made.

"We are absolutely delighted to be working with AESSEAL in providing vital funding to the communities of Rotherham, and helping them to meet their charitable objectives."

Generous folk throughout the area have already taken advantage of the match funding through the "I Love Rotherham" initiative that involved local people raising funds for local causes.

AESSEAL website
SYCF website
Rotherham

Images: aesseal.co.uk

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