Rathbone has opened a new centre in the shadow of one of the world’s most famous football grounds.

The Chester Road base in Trafford is just a stone’s throw from Old Trafford – the home of world champions, Manchester United. And staff at the centre are determined to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson’s men by helping young people become as confident as Cristiano Ronaldo, as tenacious as Carlos Tevez and as successful as multi-medal winner, Ryan Giggs.

Rachel Cummins

Rachel Cummins, from the Stretford end of Trafford is amongst the centre’s fledgling learners. Things were adding-up nicely for Rachel at high school as she figured on a career in accountancy. But tragedy struck when her younger brother endured a three-week fight for life having been struck by lightning. Unsurprisingly, this effected her education as caring Rachel helped with the long convalescence.

“I enjoy being at Rathbone” said Rachel, “it keeps me happy and busy. I like problem solving and building up my CV – it beats being on Bebo all day!”

The Trafford centre’s goal is to sign-up 50 young people to the Entry to Employment programme. The base is also home to a team who’ll spend most of their time – away. The Intensive Intervention Project will see Rathbone staff engage with some of the borough’s most vulnerable families and bring them closer together.

Manager of the project Anthony Downer said: “Whether it be joining a gym or enjoying a day out, we want families to be together, doing something positive.”