Earlier this week, Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South held the first ever Habs Aspire Mentoring celebration at Haberdashers’ Hatcham College with students from Haberdashers’ Hatcham and Haberdashers’ Crayford Academy!

It was a great opportunity for Aspire Coordinators to meet some prospective mentors that have signed up to volunteer their time next year, and for current mentors and mentees to come together in person to celebrate this early cohort of mentees. Mentors and students have been communicating online through messaging and video calls, but never had the opportunity to meet in person until now. 

We heard from some of the students how much this programme has meant to them. Their testimonies echoed how they were feeling unsure and nervous ahead of their first sessions, but now feel so grateful and inspired since having this opportunity. It has been rewarding to see individuals from completely different backgrounds, professions, ages and life experiences build such positive relationships. Thank you to our Haberdasher member mentors Ed Boost, Simon Lough, Caroline Davis and Michael Bennett for sharing a few words with the room about their experience and what they have also learned from being a part of the programme.

At first, I was incredibly nervous. The thought that was going through my head was ‘I don't really want to talk to some random person about careers aspirations’ Luckily for me, my mentor was so friendly and despite my initial nervousness, he was so engaging and kept it light and easy for me to adjust. 

- Year 12 Student Crayford Academy

As a mentor, you won’t only help shape their academic and personal growth but also gain fresh perspectives, enhance your leadership skills, and enjoy exclusive networking opportunities as part of a nationwide Habs community.

Habs Aspire is a unique initiative designed to provide Sixth Form students across Habs secondary schools with tailored, online one-to-one mentoring sessions.