Build Your Skills Family Fun Day, Liverpool

More than 120 children and their families descended on Liverpool’s Newsham Adult Learning Centre on Wednesday 28 May for a day of construction-themed fun, learning, and inspiration – all part of the Build Your Skills Family Fun Day led by Morgan Sindall Construction.

Organised in partnership with Liverpool City Council and supported by Morgan Sindall’s local supply chain partners, the free event brought together an energetic mix of hands-on activities, interactive games, and employability support aimed at local families during the half-term break.

Cllr Joanne Kennedy, Cabinet Member at Liverpool City Council for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills said;

The Build Your Skills Day is an amazing event here in Newsham Park, making great use of the outdoor space and the Adult Learning Service Centre. This is a free event, and it’s all about engaging local families and raising aspirations - showing young people that with the right support and strong partnerships, like those we have across Liverpool, they can achieve whatever they set their minds to.”

About the Event

From VR demolition simulations to sandpit diggers, drone flying to brickwork challenges, the centre was transformed into a hub of discovery and excitement. There were ride-on construction vehicles for the under-7s – and first aid demonstrations from St. John’s Ambulance. The sun even made a welcome appearance enabling the youngsters to take advantage of outdoor activities a bouncy castle.

The event forms part of Morgan Sindall’s social value plan for its ongoing Neo-Natal Care Unit project at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, and was designed to promote both future careers in construction, as well as the links between career aspirations, positive behaviours, and improved health outcomes.

Parents and carers had the chance to speak to employers, find out about local training and employment opportunities, access free food packs to help with holiday hunger and even enter a free raffle to win a bike through a bike donation scheme involving Merseyside police, RYDE and A&B Engineering.

Michelle Brown, who led on planning and delivery, shared her thanks for the outstanding support from our event partners.

Michelle Brown, Social Value Advisor, Morgan Sindall Construction said;

It’s been a fantastic day – the energy, the enthusiasm, and the smiles on the children’s faces say it all. I’m incredibly grateful to our supply chain partners for delivering such imaginative and engaging activities. They’ve not only made the day fun, but also shown just how exciting and inclusive a career in construction can be – some of our visitors have stayed all day! It’s brilliant to see so many young people inspired by what they’ve experienced today, and just as importantly, to know that families facing financial challenges had the chance to enjoy a free, fun day out together.”

Thanks to our Partners

A huge thank you goes out to the many organisations who helped bring the event to life:

• A&B Engineering ran hands-on plumbing and electrical games.
• Altro led a creative workshop making phone holders from its Whiterock material, and offered attendees the chance to win prizes on their shuffleboard (which they then kindly donated to Newsham Adult Learning Centre for future events).
• Cara Group and We Are Footprint joined forces to provide a brickwork challenge and the chance to take away a certificate of achievement. Cara Group also supported the event by funding a bouncy castle.
• E&M Brennan funded a ride-on construction vehicle experience for younger children and gave away mini PPE party packs.
• Hays ran a spaghetti and marshmallow tower challenge and signed up attendees who were looking for work.
• Hope for All Foodbank gave out vouchers for £10 worth of food staples, funded by our Alder Hey project.
• Huyton Civils created an outdoor dig zone for under-fives.
• Ibijoke and Hope for All Foodbanks attended to offer advice and guidance on local support services.
• Leach Structural Steelwork entertained attendees with a giant Tetris building game and Meccano assembly activities.
• Liverpool in Work and Newsham Adult Learning provided information, advice and guidance around employment and training, signing up candidates on the day.
• Rhodar brought along demolition VR and drone flying experiences, gave away educational construction books, and offered career information, advice and guidance.
• Speedy Hire showcased a range of smaller products and discussed career opportunities.
• St John Ambulance provided first aid cover, ran an interactive demonstration stall teaching basic first aid skills, and gave out free period products and information on joining as a cadet.
• Tuebrook Children’s Centre ran activities around dental hygiene and gave away dental health packs.
• We Are Footprint also gave attendees the chance to sign up for support into employment.
• Wingate Electrical Plc ran electrical circuit activities.

Darren Payne, Director, Rhodar said;

We’re delighted to have been able to support Morgan Sindall’s event today along with other supply chain partners. We really enjoyed it - it’s been a great way to introduce young people to what we do in demolition and environmental services. Our VR digger simulation and drone demonstrations were a big hit with the kids, and it’s been brilliant to see so much interest from the next generation. Who knows – we might have met a future recruit today!”

Positive Outcomes

At its heart, the Build Your Skills event focused on tackling employment inequality, supporting parents into work, encouraging children to dream big, and showing that construction is a career for everyone. By offering hands-on activities, practical support, and access to training, the event gave attendees real opportunities to build confidence, explore new careers, and develop valuable skills for the future.

Some outcomes on the day included:

• 6 people signed up for employment support
  
• 15 people enrolled on courses at the Adult Learning Centre
  
• 15 people gained one day of work experience
  
• Multiple applications were submitted to St John Ambulance for first aid volunteering, cadet, and youth leader roles
  
• 50 families received £10 food packs from Hope For All foodbank
  
• 40 dental care packs were donated to families

Elaine McCausland Advisor at Learning and Skills Improvement Service, Liverpool City Council said;

This is a brilliant initiative that aligns closely with the council’s priorities – particularly around supporting disadvantaged adults, economically inactive residents, and young people not in education or employment. Events like this open doors, raise aspirations, and show the community what’s possible. We know that access to employment has a huge impact on health and wellbeing - helps people to it improves people's capacity to take control of their own lives. The benefits of today are far-reaching.”

For those who were there, the impact was already clear: happy kids, inspired parents grateful for a wholesome and free family activity over half term, and a stronger, better-connected community.

George, age 6, said:

I liked driving the little electric diggers and squashing the sand – I’ve been here since this morning and done loads! I didn’t know much about construction before, but now I want to be an electrician so I can build stuff and fix things. I’ve got so many stories to tell my friends at school!”