“Price was obviously a factor because we wanted to save a significant amount of money,” explained Sally Shaw, head of IT and Learning Resources at the college, “but the quality of the provider and our relationship with them was important as well. Arena brought additional benefits to us, such as helping us to reduce our carbon footprint through the Toshiba carbon offset scheme.”
Arena also offer interview skills and workshops on-site, which resulted in employing one of Ashton's previous students as an apprentice field service technician. “Everyone talks about corporate social responsibility,” explains Sally, “but not everyone goes into the detail of it. Having a student of ours become an apprentice with Arena was amazing - this has never happened before with any of our other suppliers.”
The partnership between Ashton and Arena has been transformational, with annual cost savings reaching five figures, and staff and students enjoying new, more efficient ways of working. “Arena understands education. It's not just been about the contract; it's about the good relationship we have with them.”
Arena’s support of education has also seen contributions being made to the purchasing of essential library books and equipment - they even have a TeleTubby-style annex in the school grounds!
And it doesn’t stop there, of course. Our partnerships with schools, and the wider community, deepen with sponsorship of local family, junior and mini runs that encourage young people to take part in healthy activity. The Arena Owl mascot (pictured top) is a firm favourite at these events.
Don’t forget to come and see @ArenaGroup Owl when you have finished running this morning! #RunWithArena pic.twitter.com/4oYcsAI1xH
— Run For All (@runforall) March 17, 2018
Adrian Fitzpatrick, managing director of Arena Group, which has supported Run For All’s mini and junior runs since 2010, said: “We are delighted to continue our support for such an excellent series of children’s runs. They are a great way of encouraging youngsters to be more active and to support a charity. It’s always wonderful to see a young runner wearing his or her finisher’s medal with pride.”
Thanks to EVERYONE who made it to this weekend's @ArenaGroup #miniandjunior runs. #ArenaOwl had a great time cheering you all on & keeping the effects of the blizzards at bay! @runforall #RunWithArena pic.twitter.com/WcV8AdEs4o
— Arena Group (@ArenaGroup) March 19, 2018
Read more about Arena’s adventures in the community by visiting www.arenagroup.net/page/arena-in-the-community, and read the full Ashton Sixth Form case study here: www.arenagroup.net/case_studies.
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