Our Insight Day at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
On Tuesday 29th October, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors hosted a group of Catalyst mentees for a fantastic insight day to learn more about careers in law. Read on to hear more about the day from two of the attendees! On the 29th October, members of Catalyst Collective, including myself, went to Irwin Mitchell in Holborn in order to have an Insight day. Our day started with an introduction about Irwin Mitchell themselves, including learning about the members of their senior leadership team, and how all 6 of them (excluding group CEO Craig Marshall) are in charge of one of the various areas of law that Irwin Mitchell covers. We then got taken on a short tour around the offices, where we had the opportunity to see first-hand the different departments that each tackle different cases. We even had the luck of being there on the day of a bake sale, which was raising money for one of the 3 charities that Irwin Mitchell supports. After our tour and a short break, we heard from Leena and Charisse about medical negligence, and their journeys into Irwin Mitchell. Hearing both of their stories enabled me to really understand the different pathways in which you can make your way into law. Leena, having debated between journalism and law in her early years, is now a partner after working her way up all the way from associate. Charisse took a different route from Leena, and had taken the CILEX as an alternative. Both talks were very influential, as it showed that one doesn’t have to take the most common path into law – there are many alternatives which lead to amazing results! In the afternoon we split into 2 groups and carried out a debate regarding e-scooters, and whether they should remain or be rid of. Both groups were extremely passionate, and unfortunately for my group, there was only one winner – and it wasn’t us! The debate enabled us to extract information from multiple resources in order to create multiple arguments that could be used to our advantage. The debate finished, and we then heard from Angela Jackman, who is a KC – a barrister or solicitor who has been recognised for their excellent advocacy. She spoke to us about her journey and some incredibly influential cases she had succeeded in in the past. The main thing I learnt from this whole insight day, is that there isn’t just one pathway into the world of law. The people that kindly came in to share their experience, all got there in different ways – apprenticeships, training contracts, you name it! Taking a less traditional pathway can get you the same opportunities that a more known pathway into law can. You can also take time to learn what area of law you want to work in. There is an incredibly wide range of areas to choose from. Words by Christina, Year 13 On the 29th of October me and a group of girls made our way and participated in the Catalyst Collective: Irwin Mitchell Insight Day. Our day began with getting an overview of what we would be doing, which included hearing from staff about the different career journeys which led them to what they do today. After this, we began to get a detailed description of what Irwin Mitchell stands for. This included a tour of the office, which allowed us to ask different lawyers and staff within the firm what they specialise in, and how helping people within the law inspires them and enables them to think more intellectually about how other people’s situations can vary. After this, we heard from Leena and Charisse about the area of law that they specialise in: Medical Negligence. After a short lunch break, we were nicely led into a debate on E-Scooters, which gave us a chance to think intellectually with each other, using research and statistics in order to make a powerful and successful case. We then concluded the day with a compelling story from Angela Jackman KC (Hon) about her journey to the firm and the various achievements she gained along the way. This was fulfilling for all of us to hear, and most importantly it was encouraging to hear that one day all of us could achieve the same things. Going to the Irwin Insight Day made me aware of how many branches of law you are able to go into, and these are all equally rewarding in terms of whether you are personally helping a client, or helping businesses as a whole. Furthermore, as a woman of colour, Irwin Mitchell assured us multiple times that this would not put us at a disadvantage -only make us stronger throughout the process of becoming the lawyer that we want to be. Most importantly, it allowed me to learn just how important community is with your fellow lawyers, as well as your clients. Being truthful to them, and helping them in any way that we can is the way to know that you have gotten justice or clarity for the client. Overall, it was a brilliant day and a perfect overview of what goes on within a top law firm! Words by Claudia, Year 13 Thank you so much to the team at Irwin Mitchell for hosting us – the girls had a fabulous time and learnt so much!
Diva’s Mentoring Journey
Diva was a mentee on our 2023/24 cohort. When she first signed up to our programme, she was about to enter Year 10, and one of her main goals was to gain a clearer picture of her future career. She was interested in several career options, including being a flight attendant, so we matched her with Kasey, a Cabin Crew Talent Acquisition Coordinator, who was also happy to support a mentee with varied career interests. Kasey and Diva built a strong rapport over the year – when asked about her match with her mentor, Diva said “I like that Kasey is kind and very comfortable and she is aware of how to talk and help me relax. [She] takes interest in my goals.” During their meetings, the pair explored a range of career options, as well as working on Diva’s other goals, including improving GCSE study skills, and choosing sixth form subjects. For Diva, the programme has had a significant impact on how she works towards her goals. “Mentoring has continued to encourage me to strive for anything in life if you are willing to work for it, even if you have a different appearance. It gives me hope and a more clear path of my future.” Diva has also been able to step into roles of responsibility whilst on the programme. Her school acknowledged her as an advocate for the Catalyst amongst her peers, with Diva commenting “I wanted my friends to get out of it as much as I had and to see the benefits”. She was a member of the Catalyst Youth Advisory Board, where she had a say in planning the first Catalyst residential weekend, which took place in April. The residential was also Diva and Kasey’s first time meeting in person, and for Diva, the scavenger hunt they did together was one of the most memorable moments of their mentoring relationship so far! She also noted the ‘future-self’ letter writing and public speaking activity as another highlight, saying that it helped the mentees build teamwork and confidence. Diva really enjoyed the residential weekend, remarking that “it was exciting, funny and calming. I enjoyed the activities [but] it still focused on our goals, and if we had any problems anyone was available. It presented new ideas and showed me how others understand things. I loved every step of it and if I could I would do it again.” On what she thinks of the mentoring programme, Diva shares “I love the Catalyst Collective and the support we all get. I think it’s a wonderful programme because the people we are paired with are relatable to us.” It has been a pleasure to have Diva, and her mentor Kasey, on the programme, and we can’t wait to see where Diva’s future leads!
Mentoring Journeys: Habon’s Story
Recently, we caught up with Habon, a former mentee from our 2022/23 cohort, to hear about her experiences on the programme. Habon has recently completed a gap year, where she has spent some time volunteering for The Catalyst as Chair of the Youth Advisory Board. Habon’s former mentor, Denise, is someone that she really looks up to. “I was fortunate to have the best mentor I could ask for, who supported me through the roller coaster called sixth form.” Habon described how her mentor helped guide her by talking about “her own journey as a teenage girl and a Black woman”. Denise was “really open minded and understanding that everyone has different perspectives,” allowing the pair to learn from each other’s unique experiences. With the support of her mentor, Habon worked on her SMART goals, which related to studying, finding work experience, exploring career options, and improving time management. On the latter, Habon mentioned that she always used to be late for school, but that with Denise’s help, her organisation improved significantly. Habon also describes herself as a “go-getter,” explaining how she would sometimes struggle with balancing too many responsibilities. She said that while Denise always pushed her to do her best, and “be the best version” of herself, her mentor always encouraged her to “stay grounded and be realistic”. Habon has found that her time management has continued to improve significantly – the lessons she learnt served her well after she finished the programme. She says that she has been “shocked” at how well she has been able to manage the different responsibilities of her gap year. As well as doing work with The Catalyst, Habon has a busy schedule as a maths and science tutor, and has also been taking several online courses. The Catalyst held its first residential in April, and Habon was involved with the planning and delivery of the weekend. She found it really interesting and fun to take part in the activities, and to build positive connections with the mentees who are in the same position she was in a few years ago. Reflecting on her time as a mentee, Habon describes it as “memorable and beautiful. Meeting so many ambitious women of colour in one place, where success is the common goal, really outlined my sixth form journey. I couldn’t be more grateful!” From September, Habon will be studying Pharmacy at university. We are also really excited to welcome her on board the team as Junior Programme Delivery Officer, where she will continue her work with the Youth Advisory Board, and support The Catalyst in the delivery of our enrichment programme.
From Mentee to Medicine!
Ernesta was part of our 2021 pilot cohort. We met her through Eastside Young Leaders’ Academy, one of our brilliant partner schools. Recently we got in touch with Ernesta to hear about her experiences working with her mentor, Nikita, and how the programme has helped her over the long term. A key foundation of a Catalyst mentoring relationship is that pairs develop SMART goals to work on throughout the year. On the programme, Ernesta was focused on improving her organisation. “When I started mentoring I was revising for my GCSE’s and struggling with organisation skills, which made revision difficult. Additionally, I was also preparing for boarding school and I knew that my lack of organisation would make this transition into boarding school difficult for me. So organisation became one of my main goals to ease the revision process and my transition into boarding school.” In working on her SMART goals, Ernesta really appreciated having someone to keep her accountable. “Regular check-ins helped me to keep focused on my goals. I also had mini goals that I would try to achieve between our check ins which helped me to make steady progress towards my bigger goals. If I wasn’t able to meet these mini goals [Nikita] would help me to figure out where I went wrong so that when I was approaching the goal again I had a better game plan in mind.” The mentoring pair developed a supportive and empowering mentoring relationship, with Ernesta remarking “I appreciated how invested Nikita was in my progress. It was like we were on a journey together, so whenever a goal was achieved, it felt like we achieved it together which made celebrations more meaningful!” After completing the programme, Ernesta made a successful transition to boarding school, commenting that “it was an amazing experience.” She found that the lessons she had learnt during mentoring were invaluable to her as she continued her academic journey. “One of the biggest lessons I learnt with my mentor was the importance of being kind to myself through taking breaks. In the past I would often ignore the importance of giving myself a chance to recharge which caused burn out. My mentor helped me to find activities that would give me a break from school work. Once I incorporated these into my schedule I noticed that I wouldn’t be burn out anymore which really helped to persevere with revision so that I could get better results.” Ernesta is currently enjoying the last month of her gap year before she starts university in September. She’ll be studying Medicine at University of Leicester. She would encourage others to “take full advantage” of the Catalyst programme, because it’s an “opportunity to get advice from wonderful people that have already been through a path similar to the one that you are going to take.” She also sees the value of the wider Catalyst network, explaining that, through getting to know other mentors and mentees on the programme, “you could end up benefiting from what [they] have also learnt.” Ernesta loved getting the opportunity to network at the end of year celebration, where she was also able to reflect on her growth throughout a year of mentoring. On her overall reflections on mentoring, Ernesta shared that “Mentoring gave me a really big confidence boost. It was one of the first times I decided to think about the goals that I wanted to achieve. So when I was able to achieve these goals it really gave me confidence that if I put my goals down on paper and make a loose plan for myself then I can always work towards my goals.”
Meet our mentoring pairs: Shelby & Claudia
Shelby & Claudia are one of the brilliant mentoring pairs on this year’s programme. Read on to understand more about the journey our mentors and mentees go on, as we hear about their experiences so far. Claudia is a Year 10 student, and a mentee on our programme. Like many of our mentees, we first met Claudia through one of our partner schools, Eastside Young Leaders Academy. When she signed up for the mentoring programme, Claudia remarked “I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, so I went in with an open mind. Mainly I just wanted to learn more.” She told us that through mentoring, she wanted to work on building her skills and confidence. Shelby works in Ecommerce Technology, and has a background in fashion. She wanted to get involved with The Catalyst in order “to be able to impart wisdom and helpful tips to the younger generation”, recognising that when she was younger, this kind of support for young Black girls was not often available. We match mentors and mentees carefully based on their interests, experiences and preferences, and Shelby and Claudia are just one example of a match who have built a great rapport. Shelby says that she likes “everything” about working with Claudia, adding, “Claudia is very smart and driven, which made us a good match with us both being goal oriented.” The pair first met in September, at an online matching event. This is an opportunity for our pairs to break the ice in a small group setting, through games and introductions. Shelby and Claudia then began their one to one sessions. They made use of some of the session plans we provide, which often focus on helping pairs get to know each other, as we know that establishing a positive connection is essential to successful mentoring. For Shelby, one of the most interesting things they’ve done together was swapping TV show recommendations during one of these first sessions! In their second session, pairs will often begin to set SMART goals, which they will work on throughout their mentoring relationship. Mentees develop goals related to various aspects of life, whether that’s finding out more about a career pathway, to building confidence through public speaking, or achieving a certain grade in their exams. For Claudia, working with Shelby has had a long term impact on how she works towards her future goals. “I’m more open to realising how goals are set. They don’t have to be big, they can be small & easy to achieve.” She adds that now, “I have more goals and more knowledge about different career paths. I’ve already hit some goals that we set, which I didn’t expect.” Claudia also found the third session particularly memorable. In this session, mentors and mentees use Myers Briggs personality tests to get to know each other more, and to reflect on their unique qualities, strengths, and weaknesses. Claudia described the personality tests as “really fun”, echoing a sentiment of many of our pairs, who often see this session as a highlight of their mentoring! We know that all mentees are unique, and this is why we encourage mentors to take a flexible approach, giving them the necessary support and resources to tailor their sessions to their mentee’s needs and preferences. As Claudia describes “I expected it to be more focused on school related topics, however we have covered more in our sessions so far.” Shelby adds that “We have talked through some of the challenges in the workplace at a high level. Most of the conversations have been on foundational skills that will help girls thrive in any profession.” She feels that she has been able to support Claudia the most through goal setting, working through personality types, and helping Claudia to identify her strengths. We believe that mentoring is a mutually beneficial experience – mentors often get as much from the experience as they give. This has been the case for Shelby, who feels that she has developed her listening skills, and has learnt how to “explain things in simple terms to help Claudia understand”. Both Claudia and Shelby would encourage anyone interested in joining the programme to “Go for it!” Claudia explains that mentoring is “something new, it’s not something I’d normally do and I have enjoyed working with Shelby so far.” Shelby adds that the experience is “very rewarding and a lot of fun”. This June, Shelby and Claudia will be having their first in person meet up. We have loved working with the pair so far this year, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of their mentoring relationship brings!
Meet our Mentoring Pairs: Denise and Habon
It’s time to introduce another one of our mentoring pairs! Denise and Habon started mentoring in 2021-22, and have continued into a second year of working together. Denise is an Associate Nutritionist with a PhD in Nutrition and Food Poverty. Habon is a Year 13 student at Hammersmith Academy. Words by Amara Agwo Denise and Habon have been working together for over a year. First matched because of a shared interest in STEM Careers, their mentoring so far has gone from strength to strength. When they first matched, Habon was still deciding potential future paths for herself. She reflected that one of her favourite sessions with Denise was discussing their different paths to date: “Denise was an A-level student who wanted to study Dietetics, but fate pushed her where she is now, completing a PhD in food nutrition. This will open amazing doors for her like working in the private sector with organisations like W.H.O.” Denise has been a motivated and passionate mentor within the Catalyst community. She described her motivations for first joining the Catalyst: “I wanted to contribute to my community and provide the support that I wish I had gotten when I was younger. To show young Black girls that you really can be whoever you want to be.” Habon has found it useful to have the support of a mentor at a pivotal time in her life. There are parallels between their separate journeys, as both mentor and mentee have learnt to adapt as they figure out which paths to take. At the start of year 12, Habon had her mind set on studying medicine, and already had her top university choices picked out: “I thought I knew exactly what I wanted and where I wanted to go. However as the year went by, I developed more skills and insight on my subjects as well as getting work experience. With all these new aspects and experiences, I began to feel as if medicine was not the path I wanted to go on. All of a sudden I felt lost on what I want to do or even where to go.” Habon had been confused about what path to take, but she says that “just talking to a mentor helped me overcome the overwhelming feeling.” She now aspires to study Mathematics at university, and wants to go into the technology and engineering industry. In her journey to understand what her future may hold, Habon has modelled adaptability and perseverance. When we asked on advice for the next cohort of Catalyst mentees, she shared: “Have an open mind, you never know if you truly want something until you try it and talk about it. There are so many opportunities out there and sometimes it just takes one person to help you connect to these other amazing people.” A core of the Catalyst mentoring model is that mentors have the chance to gain as much as they give to their mentee. Denise recognised this as part of her Catalyst journey so far: “I’m grateful that I got to be part of this community that lives up to its mandate of making meaningful connections, be it with your mentee, other mentors or the team.” Habon’s last piece of advice? “Build your own network; if you want any advice for your future it is that networking is key to success. The Catalyst helped me do that and I encourage you to do the same.” And if that wasn’t persuasive enough, Denise added, “Join the Catalyst! If you are looking to inspire and be inspired this is the place to be. Everyone is truly amazing!” To get involved as part of the next cohort, mentors can visit: www.thecatalystcollective.co.uk/becomeamentor. Future mentees should watch this space, as we have something exciting coming next academic year.
Meet our mentoring pairs: Matipa and Sukai
Matipa and Sukai are a second year mentoring pair, who started working together from 2021-22. Matipa is a PhD Researcher at the University of Cambridge, and Sukai is a 2nd Year undergraduate student at the University of Kent. A few months ago, we caught up with them to talk all things mentoring, and how they’re progressing. Words by Amara Agwo “Success is very subjective. I have a holistic understanding of it, and don’t just want to focus on external versions of success.” Maptia explains, as I talk with her and her mentee, Sukai. Sukai and Matipa are a bold and ambitious mentoring pair. From the outset of their time working together, they’ve focused on what success looks like in all aspects of life, from university essay writing to financial literacy. As a young Black woman, Matipa wants to do everything possible to support Sukai in these goals: “I want to see Sukai smashing it in all areas. I just want her to excel.” As our first undergraduate university pair, these two are leading the way in terms of what a different effective mentoring can make at the start of your higher education career. This year, Sukai was focused on achieving the top grades in university, which is something her mentor – with all her experience in academia – was able to help her realise. But she also wants to grow in her personal life, through taking the time to reflect and journal. This is a match well made, with two women of drive who motivate one another to achieve all they can: “I often ask myself ‘What would Matipa do?’” Sukai shares. “You’re killing it, and that’s how I want to be!” Through mentoring, Sukai has learnt the importance of consistency, and keeping momentum. These are characteristics she admires in her mentor, and strives to emulate. Sukai and her mentor are able to “understand each other and bounce off each other’s energy.” They have a friendly dynamic, and are full of respect for one another. Sukai and Matipa are an excellent demonstration of the mutuality of the mentoring relationship – which is core to the Catalyst model. When we asked Matipa to reflect on what she was gaining and learning from Matipa, she didn’t know where to begin: “Sukai has such vision, precision, strength and fearlessness.” She notes that her mentee is not held back by her age. “It’s great to see someone doing what they know they can do.” And Sukai has big aspirations. In the future, she may like to run an NGO, and be involved in activism. As she works towards this, she has started her own organisation called ‘Talking Colours,’ which aims to help young People of Colour who have been affected by discrimination in the UK. She notes that ‘mainstream’ racism is something most people are aware of, but she wants to highlight the daily experiences that her and her friends go through. With Matipa, she is working on developing ideas and keeping momentum for the organisation. Her desire for change in this area is inspiring to her mentor: “She has shown me that Black womanhood is so nuanced. People my age have different experiences, and lots of resources are often geared towards us. It is humbling to learn about the beauty and innocence of young black people through Sukai.” To others who want to get involved in the Catalyst, Sukai has a word of advice. “Be prepared to work and to have fun. But don’t come in with too many preconceptions. Come lighthearted. Don’t feel burdened if things go wrong, or you don’t achieve everything you want to – as long as you achieve something.” Matipa echoes this, emphasising the need to “have grace for others and for yourselves.” She did not have any particular expectations when she began mentoring, but has found true joy in “the beauty of getting to know someone.” You can check out the work of Talking Colours here!
We’re Jammin!
This month, we reflect on our recent theatre trip to see The Bob Marley Musical. Words by Olivia Hylton. On Tuesday November 29th 2022, we took a number of mentees from the Eastside cohort of the Catalyst Mentoring Programme to watch Get Up, Stand Up: The Bob Marley Musical at the Lyric Theatre. A number of mentors were also able to join, making this trip even more special – with some mentoring pairs meeting for the first time, following months of virtual mentoring. Pictured: Jennifer and Princess were one of the pairs who met for the first time in person. Get Up, Stand Up charts the story of Bob Marley – from his early years in the hills of Jamaica to his time as a global superstar playing shows all over the world. Woven throughout the musical were popular Bob Marley songs such as Could You Be Loved and War. Each song helped to move the story along, educating us about different periods such as Bob’s time in exile in the UK and attempts to bridge political divisions in Jamaica. For India, a 2020-21 mentee who is pursuing a career in performing arts, the show was “very inspiring and eye opening”. Like Bob Marley, India is of Jamaican heritage – “I enjoyed learning more about people from my background”. Belema, a 2021-22 mentor, described the show as “amazing… It definitely gave me perspective on Bob Marley’s upbringing and how it influenced his music”. Belema also had the opportunity to meet her mentee Jemimah in person for the first time at the show. The most powerful moment came towards the end of the performance, just before a rendition of Redemption Song. Highlighting the plights of freedom fighters and the power of music as a tool for resistance, the monologue delivered gave Redemption Song a whole new sense of relevance and meaning. The show was closed out with a performance of Get Up, Stand Up, in which the audience were encouraged to participate by singing and dancing along. It was the perfect way to end an amazing evening, with a reminder to us all to stand u for what we believe in. Special thanks to The Black Ticket Project for making this trip possible by providing tickets to the show.
Meet our mentoring matches: Claudia & Maryam
Time to meet another of our mentoring pairs! We have been introducing you to our mentoring pairs, so you can hear more about The Catalyst Programme, in their words. This month, meet Claudia and Maryam! Maryam is a student at Waterside Academy and Claudia is a Corporate Responsibility Advisor! Photos from an exhibition called ‘Our Time on Earth’ that Claudia and Maryam went to see at the Barbican. When Maryam’s school told her about the opportunity to have a mentor, she chose to pursue it: “I thought it would be beneficial and a good opportunity for me. It is also my first time having a mentor and being a part of a programme such as The Catalyst, so I was interested in experiencing it.” As it turns out, mentoring has not only benefited Maryam. Her mentor, Claudia, shares that she has also learnt a lot from her mentee. Claudia’s own life experiences motivated her to join the Catalyst. “When I was 15, there were no black or mixed-race role models that I could relate to. I never thought I could work in a business corporate world and I had low expectations for myself. Being a mentor means a lot to me, because I know I can give Maryam the confidence and support that I was missing when I was her age.” Claudia and Maryam have discovered that they share a lot in common. In one of their sessions together, they took a personality test. “It was great fun as we both found out that we were saying yes to all the same answers! We’re both extroverted introverts – we love solitude but also enjoy hanging out with our friends too.” Claudia and Maryam also share a love for history and True Crime. They have creatively used their common interests to strengthen their mentoring relationship and to open up new conversations about Maryam’s future. “Maryam recommended me her favourite YouTube videos to watch on True Crime which I very much enjoyed watching. I then suggested if she knew about criminology, which in turn led her to think about studying the subject at sixth form.” Together, the mentoring pair are working to complete Maryam’s CV and explore her career options. Maryam has an inquisitive nature, and with Claudia’s support, she works to prepare for her future as early as possible. As her mentor puts it, this is so “she’ll be in a strong position to make well-informed choices about her career path.” Claudia loves the phrase ‘the early bird always catches the worm’ and this attitude helps the mentoring pair as they work towards their goals and learn from one another. Maryam and Claudia are a hard-working pair. Maryam reflects on her current challenges with her science exams, and on her previous academic successes, like her SATs, where she was really pleased with her results. Yet, despite the busyness of their academic and professional lives, as Claudia says, “It’s so important to let your mind just switch off.” Claudia shares what this looks like for her, “At the end of the day after work, I always make sure I have some down time when I don’t look at my emails. Instead, I’ll read a book, do some exercise or cook!” On the topic of food, there is something else that Maryam has learnt about her mentor: “if she had to choose one food to eat for the rest of her life it would be apple crumble!” Claudia and Maryam continue to enjoy creative mentoring sessions, as well as a trip to Claudia’s office they have been to an exhibition at the Barbican “We learnt how indigenous tribal knowledge can be used to tackle climate change”. We can’t wait to see where the rest of their mentoring journey takes them!
What makes the Catalyst a Collective?
This month, we explores further what it mean when we call the Catalyst a Collective. At the Catalyst, we believe our mentors are the foundation of the Collective. Carefully selected from a range of careers, interests and backgrounds, they are all passionate about uplifting the next generation of Black women. On our part, we provide them with as much support as possible through training, and regular check-ins with their mentor coordinator and the wider network. In turn, our mentors go above and beyond to contribute to our growing community. Next year as our programme continues to grow exponentially, we look forward to mentors taking on roles within the Catalyst Collective, supporting us in programme development, communications, event planning and organisational development. We also reach out to members of the wider community to give career talks and further guidance to our mentees. But it’s not just the adults that contribute to the Collective. What we do wouldn’t be possible without our expanding network of inspiring and dedicated mentees. We partner with local schools, recruiting, training and supporting our mentees in small cohorts. This model enabling us to ensure that each girl feels fully equipped to be part of the mentoring programme. We also know it’s always better to do things in community, and so we work to create a culture of wellbeing and mutual encouragement within each cohort. At the Catalyst, each mentee helps enrich the collective for the next generation. In our first year, our mentees have been integral to the development of our programme. From speaking to new partner schools about their experiences, to sharing their feedback with us to shape programme design, we are so grateful to them for being part of our community. Our current mentees will also be taking a lead in future mentee recruitment and training, as well as lending their voices to our Youth Advisory Board when it launches this Autumn. And naturally, we would love for them to come back as mentors in the future! We are truly a Collective, and we cannot exist without the contributions of every member of our community. As the Catalyst Collective grows, we are always eager to hear from you. We hope you’ll consider joining us as we build this community together. Words by Amara Agwo
