Education boss calls for more community spirit in 2021
The chief executive of an education services provider is calling for renewed community spirit in the West Midlands in 2021.
West Bromwich-based not-for-profit business SIPS Education has been at the heart of the pandemic this year, working with dozens of local schools.
The chief executive, Brian Cape, said it has been a year of fundamental change.
He said: “None of us want to go through another year like 2020 - but while these are difficult times, there are positives that we should take from the last 12 months.
"What’s crucial is that any learnings, practices or innovations that have come out of the pandemic shouldn’t dissolve into the ether at the first signs that we’re coming out on the other side.
“Yes, the recent news of vaccines is a much-needed boost for us all, but there’s no escaping that the world and our everyday lives have changed forever.
“As an organisation at the very heart of our communities, we’ve seen first hand the huge socio-economic impact on the lives of families.
"We’ve worked tirelessly and passionately to ensure that supporting children and young people’s learning and well-being have remained at the very heart of everything we do.
“Throughout the pandemic, we’ve all had a little time to reflect on what’s important to us, and for many that’s meant a change in priorities when it comes to work, travel and what we buy – whether that’s a loaf of bread or a service, such as IT support.
“We’ve all ‘shopped local’ more, looked beyond the pound signs and tried to ‘do our bit’ to get our community through these difficult times.
“Even now, when we’re starting to see real hope in the shape of vaccines, we should not – must not – let go of the community spirit, innovation and altruism which has helped us overcome the darkest of times. Let’s stick together.”
