Active Fusion awarded Centre of Excellence status by the Leadership Skills Foundation
Active Fusion has this week been revealed as a Centre of Excellence by the Leadership Skills Foundation. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the local charity, which has been working on embedding the development of these essential skills into its programme for the last 5 years.
With only a small number of centres selected for the 2024-25 academic year from the 2,500 plus that the Leadership Skills Foundation works with annually, the accomplishment is testament to the work of Tom Horton, Inclusion Officer. Their work within the community using the Leaders programme has resulted in lasting impact across the community, with over 150 learners benefiting from these opportunities this year alone.
Tom Horton, Inclusion Officer at Active Fusion commented, “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Leadership Skills Foundation. This achievement is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to empowering young people with the leadership skills they need to thrive in their communities and beyond.”
The Centre of Excellence title was launched in 2023-24 and is presented to organisations that demonstrate a deeply held commitment to developing essential leadership skills in their learners to help them prepare for work and for life. To be considered, centres must adhere to a comprehensive list of criteria, including: a commitment to effective leadership practices, pathways for leadership throughout the community, fostering a positive culture, implementing innovative leadership strategies and maintaining high standards of learner performance.
Richard Norman, Chief Executive for the Leadership Skills Foundation, said: “We are delighted to award Active Fusion with Centre of Excellence status for the coming academic year. We believe that every young person should have access to opportunities to develop the skills they need to positively influence their future and their communities.”
“Across the 2,500 centres we work with, Active Fusion offers an incredible experience for its learners to develop essential leadership skills and it is a privilege to work with them. We can’t wait to see how they continue to build on their Excellence status.”
Active Fusion plans to build on this work by expanding its programmes to make leadership development even more accessible and inclusive for young people across the community. By working closely with schools, community groups, and local organisations, the charity aims to reach more learners from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to develop essential leadership skills. Plans include introducing tailored support for underrepresented groups, creating new pathways for participation and enhancing outreach efforts to ensure that no young person is left behind in accessing these transformative opportunities.
Tom Horton added, “Seeing the lasting impact of our Leaders programme and the opportunities it has created for learners this year alone is truly inspiring and we’re excited to continue this important work.”