The ‘Barnsley Businesses Inspiring Students’ project (BBIS) is the brainchild of Lifetime – and is being trialled in conjunction with Horizon Community College.

It is an exciting journey, one which hopefully will help inspire the future generation of successful employers and employees in and around Barnsley.

Lifetime Communications Director William Bottomley says: “The Barnsley Businesses Inspiring Students project is about the positive messages we can give local students, about living and working in and around our community.

“We are a local business, employing local people and living locally, sending our children to local schools, and we love it!

“There are so many excellent businesses and inspiring people who work in our community – and we believe this is a great place to live and work.

“Our business leaders, people who love their jobs, people who have grown up in our community and would regard themselves as successful – not necessarily materially but also that they lead happy and fulfilling lives – authors, poets, sports people, actors, people who work in our community, people with a connection to us, these people are willing to share their experiences with our students to inspire them to become what they can be. And that’s fantastic.

“We also have people from Barnsley who now live elsewhere, but who want to come back into Barnsley schools and tell their story.

“We have been amazed at the enthusiasm we have encountered from the companies and individuals, from all walks of life, who want to get involved in BBIS. Everyone at Lifetime would like to issue a big, big thank you to them all.”

Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Angela Smith commented: “The enthusiasm everyone has for the project, from Barnsley business people to the Horizon teachers and the students, is something that I’m sure will drive the venture forward.

“I have met some lovely people who are so committed to this idea. I am sure the scheme will go well – and live up to its name of inspiring students.”

Our BBIS speakers: