National Trustees’ Week: spotlight on Andrew Cooke & the Manchester Youth Zone
For this year’s National Trustees’ Week, 4-8 November 2024, we’d like to spotlight what successful Trusteeship looks like by celebrating the work of Andrew Cooke, Trustee of the Manchester Youth Zone (MYZ).
The MYZ, based in Harpurhey, is a youth facility for local young people raising aspirations and providing new experiences to boost confidence and resilience. The OCT has been involved with the MYZ since it was conceived, supporting everything from governance to healthy eating initiatives and projects focused on jobs and skills.
Andrew Cooke, Director at Bruntwood SciTech, first joined the MYZ’s Board as a Trustee in 2021. He says he was drawn to the role because it provided him with an opportunity to use his professional experience to ‘give something back’, whilst at the same time learning new skills through unique opportunities with the MYZ.
“Working at Bruntwood for 17 years has always meant I’ve been lucky enough to see first hand the amazing work that the MYZ does for the young people of North Manchester in raising their aspirations and allowing them to enjoy healthier, happier lives. From Bruntwood’s involvement in the development of the youth zone space in 2012, right the way through to the ‘Cares Days’ opportunities all our colleagues can contribute there, I’ve been hugely inspired to support where I can. When the opportunity came along to sit on the board and support the MYZ team I jumped at it!”
Andrew brought a wealth of experience and practical value to the Trustee role. In the role, he was able to advise the MYZ on property and development issues, he facilitated working and meeting room space in the city centre, and he has supported on recruitment. He also aided the MYZ in preparing a successful application to the Youth Investment Fund – which is enabling a refurbishment of the building – and linked them to building surveyors and then to a local supplier that delivered the project. As well as all this, Andrew also found time to take a group of 20 young people on a mountain biking day out!
On the day, Andrew, plus 2 youth workers – Danny and Phil – took the young people to a parkland area just outside the city where they could try some off road trails for the first time. As Andrew notes: “Whilst there was lots of mud, it was extremely rewarding to see the progress of the young people throughout the day. By the end of the day, some of the quietest in the group had become real leaders, which was great to see.”
Andrew’s Trusteeship has been extraordinarily valuable to the MYZ:
“As Chair of Manchester Youth Zone, I can’t express enough how much Andrew’s dedication as a Trustee has meant to us since he joined in 2021. When I stepped into my role as Chair in 2023, Andrew’s warm welcome and unwavering support made an immediate difference. Andrew brings a thoughtful perspective to every board discussion, contributing insights that shape our strategy and push us to aim higher. The connection he’s nurtured between Bruntwood and Manchester Youth Zone has opened doors and created opportunities that have amplified our impact. We’re truly fortunate to have him as part of our leadership, championing our mission every step of the way.” – Jo Jolliffe, Chair of Manchester Youth Zone.
“As a Director at Bruntwood, he’s been an incredible asset. His experience and know-how have boosted our strategic efforts, and his dedication has built a strong, supportive connection between Manchester Youth Zone and Bruntwood. This partnership has helped us make a bigger impact and better serve our community. Andrew’s commitment, insight, and leadership have been a huge part of our growth, and we’re truly grateful for the time and energy he puts into everything he does for us.” – Heather Etheridge, CEO of Manchester Youth Zone.
Highly engaged Trustees are vital to the health of charitable organisations. At the OCT part of our role is about connecting Bruntwood colleagues, where appropriate, to Trustee Board opportunities – in part because this helps connect the VCFSE sector to the corporate sector, and also because the exchange of knowledge and experience between the two sectors is often mutually beneficial, in all sorts of ways.
If you have any Trustee vacancies to advertise, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
