Young people to benefit from Hewden’s charity deal

Manchester-based plant hire and equipment rental company, Hewden, has signed a new partnership with the football charity Street League to support services for disadvantaged young people.

Street League works with 16-25-year-olds who are not in employment or training as well as young offenders and substance misusers. It engages them in football and education programmes with a view to getting them into work, mainstream education or training.

Hewden, which employs 1,200 people and has 170 at its Trafford headquarters, will provide Street League with mentors and offer young people work experience.

Kevin Parkes, Hewden's chief executive, said: "At Hewden we take our social responsibility very seriously and working with Street League we are committed to providing real opportunities for jobs within Hewden for the young participants, making a tangible difference to their lives."

Street League launched in Manchester in November with a team from Hewden's head office competing against participants in a five-a-side tournament. The charity says 72% of its academy graduates find a job or go back into education.

Chief executive, Matt Stevenson-Dodd said: "In 2011 we helped over 400 young people get jobs or go into education or training, but our aim is to be in 12 UK cities by 2014 helping thousands of young people get into work, education or training through the power of football."