Building a Better Birmingham: Millennium Point’s Impactful Charity Work
At Millennium Point, giving back to the community is massively important to us, which is why we have our Millennium Point Charitable Trust where we invest funding to help further STEAM education in the West Midlands.
This blog will explore how we’ve helped people and schools around the West Midlands gain better STEAM opportunities.
Millennium Point’s charitable mission
Our mission is to advance education for public benefit. We have a special emphasis on, but not limited to, the industrial and technological processes that have not only shaped the modern world but will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future.
Flagship initiatives
We have three exciting flagship initiatives built for improving educational opportunities. These include:
Grant funding
This provides funding for not-for-profit organisations, schools and colleges across the West Midlands Combined Authority area. Applicants can apply for up to £20,000 to fund a STEAM-related project, as long as it meets eligibility requirements. Their idea will also need to showcase the measurable impact it will have on STEAM education and/or a STEAM career choice.
We have awarded over £2,100,706 to charities, not-for-profit (NFPO’s) organisations, community groups and schools over the last 5 years.
To learn more about how our grant funding works, take a look at our page.
The scholarship programme
We’ve partnered with Birmingham City University to provide a fully funded undergraduate degree at their Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment.
Applications are currently closed for 2023, but you can keep an eye out for next year’s applications opening here.
The STEAM Roundtable
The STEAM Roundtable brings together leaders from STEAM industries, primary and secondary schools, further education, higher education and NFPO’s in STEAM sectors.
The Roundtable aims to:
- Provide a platform for support and communication, helping to share ideas and collaborate on STEAM projects
- Shape the future of STEAM learning
- Reverse current negative trends in STEAM
- Increase home-grown STEAM talent
Key objectives
We have a few key objectives we’re aiming to meet, as we support others in their STEAM journey. These goals include:
- Addressing the STEAM skills gap through education and re-education of STEAM skills
- Encouraging traditionally marginalised groups (girls, women, BAME and LGBTQ+) to go after roles in STEAM
- Provide support for the growth of STEAM skills and careers within education
- Help support the growth of activities and events that promote STEAM skills and careers
- Raise the profile of STEAM skills and careers
Case studies
Over the years we’ve supported many schools and organisations in the West Midlands, as well as those looking to pursue a career in STEAM. So here are a few examples of people and organisations we’ve helped.
St Edmund’s Campion RC School
We’ve worked with St Edmund’s Campion RC School to create a STEAM club that provides chances for children to explore topics that aren’t in the curriculum and work on large-scale projects.
This has been introduced, due to the school having a high level of disadvantaged students and many of them feeling as though an academic future and/or STEAM career is out of their reach.
The school received the grant as it was important that their afterschool program delivered excellent quality lessons and gave children the opportunity to learn about STEAM subjects just like other children do.
You can learn more about how we helped the school on our website.
Aston Villa Foundation – STEAM Stars
The Aston Villa Foundation’s mission is to work together to enrich lives, which is why they deliver Aston Villa Football Club’s community and social responsibility work.
STEAM Stars developed a new STEAM programme for six schools within a three-mile radius of Villa Park. The grant funding will purchase a Sphero robot package (this includes robots and a small pitch) which will use football to get children engaged in coding.
Due to the area around Villa Park being highly deprived in terms of income and education, it was important that the grant went to something helping to give children better opportunities within the STEAM industry, in this case focusing on coding.
You can learn more about STEAM Stars here.
Safa Bibi secures scholarship glory
Last year our winner, Safa Bibi, used the scholarship to undertake a degree in computer science at Birmingham City University.
Safa is the ninth winner of the scholarship, meaning we’ve already funded eight fantastic winners in their STEAM career.
If you’re interested in learning more about how the scholarship works and how you can apply, take a look at our scholarship page.
We’ve been giving back to the community for the past 20 years and would love for you to get involved. If you’re interested, get in touch with us today!
