Pupils in Year 9 at North Durham Academy, Stanley, start a journey of personal discovery with volunteer mentors from Karbon Homes and RE:GEN as part of a mentor programme delivered by The Girls’ Network.
The programme is the first cohort of a three-year partnership between The Girls’ Network and Karbon Homes, aiming to provide an opportunity for girls from underserved communities to achieve their potential by connecting them with professional female role models.
The unique partnership sees Karbon and RE:GEN expand the charity's reach into County Durham. It is the first time one of the charity's partners has provided all mentors for a specific school. Karbon brings an established connection with North Durham Academy as part of the housing association’s ongoing placeshaping work in Stanley.
Rachel Graham, Head of Careers at North Durham Academy, said: “15 of our pupils have been matched with fantastic mentors and we are excited to see how they will guide the girls through the next few months to support their career ambitions.”
The mentor programme is funded through Karbon’s social value partnership fund with RE:GEN, one of Karbon’s leading partners. RE:GEN’s social value commitment is linked to the large scale planned investment contracts they have with Karbon. Match funding from Karbon takes the total programme investment to £48,000 across the next three years.
Jess Alexander, Social Value Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see RE:GEN’s social value funding enabling this transformational community project and providing invaluable opportunities for pupils in a key area of Karbon’s placeshaping work. We’re really grateful for the mentors who are giving up their time to help to empower the next generation in Stanley and challenge stereotypes and expectations in the workplace.”
The volunteer mentors are from a diverse pool of women with a range of job roles and backgrounds. Pupils will receive additional opportunities through their mentors, including trips to work locations and career days.
Aimee Thomson, Network Manager at The Girls’ Network, said: “The aim of our mentoring programme is for young mentees to find out about different career routes and learn from the vast experience of their mentors. We hope the girls will build self-esteem and feel more confident and positive about their future.”
Mentors will meet every month with their mentee until the end of the school year, exploring areas specific to each individual and culminate in a final celebration event.
Pupils in Year 9 at North Durham Academy, Stanley, start a journey of personal discovery with volunteer mentors from Karbon Homes and RE:GEN as part of a mentor programme delivered by The Girls’ Network.
The programme is the first cohort of a three-year partnership between The Girls’ Network and Karbon Homes, aiming to provide an opportunity for girls from underserved communities to achieve their potential by connecting them with professional female role models.
The unique partnership sees Karbon and RE:GEN expand the charity's reach into County Durham. It is the first time one of the charity's partners has provided all mentors for a specific school. Karbon brings an established connection with North Durham Academy as part of the housing association’s ongoing placeshaping work in Stanley.
Rachel Graham, Head of Careers at North Durham Academy, said: “15 of our pupils have been matched with fantastic mentors and we are excited to see how they will guide the girls through the next few months to support their career ambitions.”
The mentor programme is funded through Karbon’s social value partnership fund with RE:GEN, one of Karbon’s leading partners. RE:GEN’s social value commitment is linked to the large scale planned investment contracts they have with Karbon. Match funding from Karbon takes the total programme investment to £48,000 across the next three years.
Jess Alexander, Social Value Lead at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to see RE:GEN’s social value funding enabling this transformational community project and providing invaluable opportunities for pupils in a key area of Karbon’s placeshaping work. We’re really grateful for the mentors who are giving up their time to help to empower the next generation in Stanley and challenge stereotypes and expectations in the workplace.”
The volunteer mentors are from a diverse pool of women with a range of job roles and backgrounds. Pupils will receive additional opportunities through their mentors, including trips to work locations and career days.
Aimee Thomson, Network Manager at The Girls’ Network, said: “The aim of our mentoring programme is for young mentees to find out about different career routes and learn from the vast experience of their mentors. We hope the girls will build self-esteem and feel more confident and positive about their future.”
Mentors will meet every month with their mentee until the end of the school year, exploring areas specific to each individual and culminate in a final celebration event.
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