Mentoring Works recognised as a top three finalist in two categories at the National Mentoring Awards 2019!
We’re very proud to announce that ELBA and BIG Alliance’s Mentoring Works programme was recognised as a top three finalist in two categories at the National Mentoring Awards 2019! The programme was selected out of hundreds of entries as a finalist in the ‘Third Sector’ category, and Euromonitor International was selected as a finalist in the ‘National Disability Mentoring Award’ category for the bespoke BIG Alliance Samuel Rhodes Mentoring Programme in collaboration with Inspire!EBP.
The National Mentoring Awards celebrate mentoring excellence across the UK, and we are delighted that our mentoring programme has been recognised in both these categories. The awards acknowledge ELBA and BIG Alliance’s long-standing contribution in helping to raise the aspirations of disadvantaged young people in London by providing opportunities through mentoring. With eight corporate partners in our Mentoring Works programme, BIG Alliance is lucky to have mentors from industries ranging from world-leading media organisations, financial services providers to travel companies. In 2018/19, an impressive total of over 170 mentors contributed their time and effort to mentor students in Islington and Camden.
We’re delighted to be recognised in the ‘National Disability Mentoring Award’ category. By engaging in our mentoring programme, young people with disabilities are more likely to feel supported and empowered to take the lead with regards to their own career development. At BIG Alliance, we understand that everybody’s journey is different, which is why our mentors are flexible in their approach and tailor every session to suit each individual that we work with. Our mentoring programme has helped to support young disabled students who are at risk of becoming NEET by building on their employability skills and broadening their career horizons. We hope to continue to build on our success in this area and support more young people to flourish through mentoring.
Our programme receives fantastic feedback from mentees and mentors every year. One mentee told us that after taking part in Mentoring Works, “I have a better idea of what the future looks like for me and, wherever I’ve come from; I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it.”
Education Programme Manager at BIG Alliance, Karolina Szostak says:
“I am thrilled that ELBA and BIG Alliance have been recognised. I want to take this opportunity to thank mentors and mentees for all their hard work. We also cannot forget about school and company coordinators and our Mentoring Works team who work hard behind the scenes to make the programme a success each year. It is wonderful to know that after over 20 years’ of providing mentoring opportunities to young people in London, our programme has gained recognition for its impact. We look forward to continuing to innovate our programme each year to help raise the aspirations of young people across London.”
About Mentoring Works
Mentoring Works was established by ELBA in East London in 1996, and expanded to Islington in 2013. The programme matches business volunteers to secondary school and sixth form students in London over a 10-month period. Mentoring sessions aim to raise students’ aspirations and equip them with the skills and experience to help them flourish personally, academically and professionally. Topics covered include presentation skills, interview techniques, university guidance, revision, and tours of the City.
Since its establishment, Mentoring Works has supported thousands of one-to-one and group mentoring relationships, and we are always looking to expand our programme!
If you would like to find out more about Mentoring Works, or would like to get involved, please get in touch with ayesha.begum@thebigalliance.org.uk