A Leeds Met graduate has been appointed manager of a local charity shop following involvement in a community project set up by our University.

BA (Hons) Retail Marketing Management graduate Antonia Pournara has been appointed Manager of the PDSA shop in Otley. Her appointment came as a direct result of her involvement with a community project set up between Leeds Met and the local PDSA charity, in which she was assessed as part of her University coursework.

Antonia and fellow final year retail marketing management students worked in partnership with the PDSA to research and implement a future direction for the Headingley store, which included a full re-brand, highly targeted merchandising zones, a new store design and an art gallery. To launch and promote PDSA's new focus, Andy Edward's Level 6 Graphic Arts & Design students worked with the retailing students using their creative and enterprising skills to full effect. 

Prior to the project, the store was due to close down as it was no longer a viable proposition, but is now prospering due to the changes which have been put in place by the students.

Antonia said: "In today's economic climate with jobs being extremely hard to find I feel privileged to have been offered such a great job position with the PDSA. I feel that my course at Leeds Met helped provide me with the skills, knowledge and confidence to take on such a role. Furthermore, I feel that Leeds Met gave me the opportunity to meet and work with some very important people that have helped me start and progress in my chosen career in retail. I would advise others studying the same course to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by such great projects.

Antonia has also been nominated in PDSA's annual Volunteer Awards for her outstanding passion and commitment to the charity. The nomination comes as the city of Leeds celebrates a 'Year of Volunteering' in 2010. She is up against two other hopefuls in the 'New Volunteer of the Year' award.

Graeme Allen, PDSA Area Retail Manager, said: "Antonia's dedication to the shop has been phenomenal. She's done an amazing amount in such a short time and we're very grateful to have her on board.

"Antonia always goes above and beyond the call of duty and is extremely dedicated to raising funds for PDSA. When she finished her degree course, Antonia continued to help in the store almost every single day. Even when she started a full-time job, she continued to volunteer on her day off.

A good example of lifelong learning and employability skills being generated in a student by an innovative community charity based project.

Antonia's tutor, Alex Kenyon commented: "I was very proud of the retail marketing management students and thrilled that Antonia now has the opportunity to manage the Otley store, and I am sure she will be just as enthusiastic and enterprising as she was for the Headingley store.

During 2010 and 2011 retail marketing management, events, and art, environment and technology students are all working together to continue the success of the PDSA store in Headingley.

Further exciting projects continue to take place across our University click here for more details.