Aksa takes centre stage

Mushtaq Khan and Kevin Shaw - useful partnership

NEW recruits have joined a job skills programme run by Aksa Homes and Oldham Coliseum.

The training scheme is linked to a 12-month sponsorship deal between Aksa and the theatre, which been been so successful the housing association has agreed to continue the partnership for another year.

As well as raising its own profile, Aksa director Mushtaq Khan said: “We have been very pleased with our first 12 months and what it has achieved. There has been a rise in the awareness of the Coliseum among our tenants and families, many of whom didn’t know of the theatre, let alone attend a performance.”

The sponsorship renewal coincides with the second year of Aksa’s sponsorship of a Teaching Theatre Programme at the Coliseum.

This offers young people living in properties managed by First Choice Homes Oldham and Aksa Homes the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the backstage running of the theatre, developing new skills and leading to increased employability.

Kevin Shaw, chief executive of the Coliseum, said: “Working with Aksa has allowed us to build relationships with more of the town’s communities with a bespoke programme of activities to introduce new people to the theatre.”