100,000 mentors to visit former schools
Neil Puffett
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Former students will remain in touch with their old schools to mentor current pupils in how to gain employment as part of a government-backed project.
A £250,000 Social Action Fund grant will fund a pilot of the service, being run by Future First, in 500 schools.
It is predicted 100,000 volunteers will sign up in the first 18 months of the scheme.
The service will support schools in collecting data from young people before they leave, on an opt-in basis, and will then keep former students updated on developments at the school, and the school updated on their progress.
It is hoped it will provide schools with relatable role models to inspire, inform and mentor current students, as well as allowing for the development of networks that can provide access to work shadowing and work experience opportunities.
Future First founder, Jake Hayman, said: “State schools have traditionally been far behind private schools in making use of alumni networks, this project will actually put them way out in front.”
The project will eventually be funded by school subscriptions.
“From day one, the entire project has been designed to be affordable for schools and will be run through our charity arm," Hayman added.
"The maximum annual cost to schools will be £500 a year and we expect to be able to keep it well below that cost.
"It’s less than £5 for each alumni entered into the scheme."
Jonathan Jenkins, chief executive of the Social Investment Business, which manages the Social Action Fund on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, said: "The energy and vision of applicants has been impressive and we are pleased to manage a fund that finances ambitious, life-changing social action projects that will really make a difference and bring people together to improve the quality of life in their communities.”
