The project based in Hyson Green promises to be a fascinating insight into this previously unknown part of Nottingham’s heritage, providing participants with the chance to learn new skills such as photography, team working, computer literacy, website development and presentation skills, through researching famous personalities from different eras of Nottingham’s history. Through out the project the young people will get expert advice from the staff of Nottingham City Museum and Galleries.

The young people, will investigate some of the city’s most famous faces; including the first female head of MI5, Stella Rimmington; playwright, D.H.Lawrence; ice skating champion, Jayne Torvil and renowned fashion designer, Paul Smith.

The project led by the Midlands Community Training and Employment (MCTE) charity is based on the ideas of young people from the local community. This group continues to support the local community of Hyson Green with its focus on education and employment opportunities for ethnic minority groups.

Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “This project will be a great opportunity for young people to get inspired by the stories of some very successful and well known people. I’m sure that the people that view the exhibition will be surprised at the depth of home grown talent. The skills that the young people will learn will be a valuable introduction to research techniques and provide a useful addition to their CVs. “

Bushra Azad, development manager from Midlands Community Training and Employment, said: “This award will help us to continue to work and train some of the young people of Hyson Green with a very important set of skills that could give them the confidence to find work in a sector that they hadn’t thought of before”.

The research and findings will be show cased in a final exhibition in the Museum of Nottingham Life at Brewhouse Yard beneath Nottingham Castle. The exhibition will run for one month offering open days during the month.

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.5 billion across the UK.

Midlands Community Training and Employment continues to support the local community of Hyson Green with its focus on education and employment opportunities for members of the community from all backgrounds.

MCTE has vast amounts of experience working with socially and economically disadvantaged communities. The organisation gives these communities an increased opportunity to make positive choices that improve the quality of their lives in one hand and effective integration in the host community in the other hand. Our aim is to provide a way through which local beneficiaries can be involved in making decisions about the area they live in and give them the opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills. We aim to teach language computer skills and other relevant courses, we organise and promote social activities to encourage participation within the community and this advance social inclusion.

In May 2008 MCTE opened a gym for ladies only which is very beneficial to the ladies who want to exercise in a female only environment; the organisation also have a hair and beauty salon in which they provide training for young girls in hair and beauty OCN stage one.

Further information

Lucinda Tyrell, HLF Communications on 020 7591 6031 / lucindat@hlf.org.uk or Roland Smith on 020 7591 6047 / rolands@hlf.org.uk 

Samina Riaz, Midlands Community Training and Employment (MCTE) on 0115 979 2988