University of the First Age

The UFA Lift Club concept offers after school learning clubs for 8-15 year olds and harnesses over twelve years of UFA experience of creating and running out-of-school hours activities. Each club is run by a franchisee and will operate in similar ways to traditional after-school clubs but that is where the similarities end!

UFA Lift Clubs will focus on learning through fun, and offer exciting and challenging activities. The clubs can be themed to support homework, curriculum subjects or general learning through a number of activities, with franchisees trained and supported by the UFA's experienced team.

Launching the initiative, Chief Executive of the UFA, Linda Gregory said: "The Government has set out to ensure that all schools offer an extended schools service by 2010. This creates a demand for high quality after-school care run by non-school providers. We believe the UFA has met this demand with the Lift Club franchise scheme.

"As the only social enterprise franchise of its kind in the UK, UFA Lift Clubs will enjoy a unique situation in the educational market. It is both a franchise and a social enterprise that helps to build social capital within communities by helping to raise the aspirations and achievements of young people."

The UFA Lift Club franchise initiative has been developed with the support and expertise of Birmingham based Business and Franchise Solicitors, Hamilton Pratt. Partner, John Pratt commented: "Franchising is a simple but effective concept, one that has proven itself many times over the years in the widest possible range of businesses.

"Essentially it's a business partnership between the franchisor: an established company wishing to expand its business, and the franchisees: independent third parties (individuals, partnerships or companies) looking for a business to operate.

"A legally binding agreement permits the franchisees to use the franchisor's trade name, trademarks and confidential business methods. The franchisees, in return, agree to accept and operate the tried and tested business methods and systems already developed by the franchisor.

"Franchisees' financial rewards are proportional to the work they put into the business, providing the perfect incentive for this kind of social enterprise."

It is anticipated that the demand for the clubs will come from different sources - direct provision on contract to individual schools or a consortium of schools, or independent provision using a school or other community based premises.

Early interest has been strong and the UFA is keen to hear from anyone interested in taking up a franchise opportunity within their community. For further information please call Linda Gregory on 0121 212 9838