International Women’s Day - Islington Giving

BIG Alliance was delighted to attend and participate in Islington Giving’s celebration of International Women’s Day on the 8th March. ‘100 women for Islington Giving’ brought together local business people, representatives of local statutory and voluntary organisations, and partners from Islington Giving funded projects. As well as inspiring people to take action towards making a difference in Islington, the event celebrated Islington women who are driving positive change in the borough. Director of Islington Giving, Kristina Glenn, said the event was a celebration of the

“most amazing women who live in Islington, work in Islington, and support Islington women”.

The power of mentoring and its ability to inspire the next generation was the focus for Kirstine Føge Jensen of The Guardian Foundation [pictured]. Kirstine’s speech covered her involvement in BIG Alliance’s Mentoring Works programme and her personal experience of mentoring three local female students:

"I run the volunteering programme for Guardian staff, and this is where BIG Alliance and the Mentoring Works programme come in. The Guardian Foundation have now been running mentoring programmes for year 10 and 12 with three local schools, and more than 40 members of staff have mentored nearly 80 young people. The mentoring scheme has been in safe, capable hands with the BIG Alliance and it’s been absolutely amazing to see the mentor relationships grow.

I’ve now been mentoring three young women for three months and even though I still feel like there is so much to cover and explore, I’ve already felt how it can be fulfilling for me and beneficial to them."

BBC News have made a short film about the event which you can watch here.

To find out more about BIG Alliance’s Mentoring Works programme, please email ayesha.begum@thebigalliance.org.uk, our Education Project Manager.