Centre for estate’s jobless hits milestone

Launched in 1987, the Manor Training and Resource Centre (MATREC) was originally intended to help those hit by the closure of the steelworks in the Lower Don Valley to get back to work.

Now it is an adult education centre which has helped local people gain more than 10,000 qualifications to help them move forward and get jobs in new industries.

Business manager Kim Jervis, who took courses at the centre herself, said the charity had played a key part in the regeneration of the Manor and surrounding areas.

She added: “Celebrating 25 years of helping people to make the most of their lives through education and training is an amazing part of our story.

“We know that people have gone on to do incredible things as a result of taking that first step through our doors and we want to track them down so we can celebrate their success with them.

“Organisations such as Manor & Castle Development Trust which runs the successful Manor Lodge and the Quadrant; Manor Community Childcare Centre and the Manor Development Company who offer premises to small businesses all trace their roots back to MATREC.

David Caborn, the chairman of the board of directors said: “We keep going because we have the trust of the learners and the local community,

“We know how frightening it can be to come back into education or training and what barriers people are trying to overcome to improve their lives.

We know how to help them because we’ve seen it all before and we know it can be done.”

Former learners of staff with memories of MATREC which could help with this year’s celebrations, should call 0114 264 2194.