Looking For Their X Factor

Irwell Valley young residents who enrolled on a 6 week life changing course are to feature in a BBC broadcast.

 

Over twenty teenagers and young adults from across Greater Manchester took part in the free course - Foundations For Futures - funded by Irwell Valley and Community Foundation Manchester and led by TV personality and life coach Kate Marlow who has worked on hit ratings shows including The X Factor and the Underdogs.

 

The participants were put through their paces for a demanding 6 weeks learning how to improve their confidence and acquire the kind of skills that have seen some of Kate's celebrity clients - such as Robbie Williams and Jack Osborne - get ahead of their game.

 

Now BBC Radio Manchester is to broadcast an interview with three of the teenagers about their challenging experience in a special news report on Monday November 3.

 

Twelve year old Catherine from Salford says prior to joining the course she was underachieving at school due to negative expectations from peers and adults and lack of self-motivation.  Five weeks on and she says the course has given her optimism and confidence.

 

Phyllis Boardman MD at Irwell Valley who first approached Kate to run the course said,

 

"Foundations For Futures compliments the work we do in communities addressing disaffectation and alienation amongst certain groups.  We offered the course primarily to residents in our supported accommodation who are trying to overcome disruption in their lives such as domestic violence or were in danger of taking part in anti-social behaviour.  Kate's work is well known and respected for her ability to help people from all types of backgrounds to succeed and improve their life and educational opportunities."

 

Catherine added "Thanks to Kate, I've lost my nerves and feel much more relaxed. I'm really looking forward to improving my grades at school."

 

 

November 3 2008

 

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NOTES TO EDITORS