The end of another Mentoring Works Year 10 programme

The Mentoring Works Year 10 programme has come to a full conclusion for this year, following three successful and enjoyable Recognition Events in the City across June. MUFG hosted the first event, Macquarie Group the second and the final event was held by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

The events were attended by hundreds of students, mentors and school and company Coordinators who participated in and supported the programme this year. The event was a chance for participants to give thanks, reflect on what they’ve gained and learnt, celebrate their successes, give speeches, receive certificates and say their goodbyes.

All participating Year 10 students have been travelling into the City to attend mentoring sessions at their mentors’ offices for the past ten months, since the programme launched in September. Sessions have covered a range of topics including CV skills, presentations, interview techniques, career pathways, tours of the city and meeting mentors’ colleagues.

Twelve partnerships of schools and companies have participated this year from across ELBA’s and The BIG Alliance’s Mentoring Works’ Year 10 programmes, working with young people from Hackney, Islington, Haringey and Colchester, Essex and, in total, approximately 340 students were matched to 200 mentors. Partnerships included: Cardinal Pole School with CMS, Clapton Girls’ Academy, The Gilberd School and Northumberland Park Community School with Linklaters, City of London Academy Islington with Deutsche Bank, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School with Macquarie Group, Haggerston School with Freshfields, Highbury Fields School with AXA, Holloway School with MUFG, Islington Arts and Media School with Expedia, Mossbourne Community Academy with Schroders and St Aloysius College with Hammerson.

Mentors and students from each partnership had the chance to speak at the events and share their experiences and journeys. One Cardinal Pole School student said:

Whilst a mentor from Freshfields fed back:

In a feedback activity at the event where students had to describe mentoring in one word, they described it as “inspiring”, “beneficial”, “memorable”, “useful” and “educational”.

Established in 1996, ELBA’s Mentoring Works programme matches Year 10 and Sixth Form students to business professionals working in the City of London. Students are encouraged to develop the skills and competencies needed for future education, training or careers. Mentoring Works has been accredited with the Approved Provider Standard (APS) by the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation. The APS is the national quality standard designed specifically for all types of mentoring and befriending projects.