Habs Aspire connects sixth form students with a mentor from a profession or sector they are interested in, for 1:1 mentoring across their two years of sixth form. The aims of the programme are:

• Equip sixth form students to make informed decisions about their future pathway whilst understanding that this path may change
• Improve their communication skills and resilience
• Make connections across the Haberdashers community, creating a sense of belonging

As part of the matching process, mentors and mentees are also asked about their hobbies and interests. This can help build rapport early in the mentoring relationship, adding some fun alongside serious discussions about the mentees future. An example of this is Enoch and Frank, who bonded quickly over their love of football.

Enoch is Head Boy at Hatcham College, he signed up to be one of the first group of students to take part in Habs Aspire at Haberdashers' Academies Trust South when he was in Year 12. He was matched with Frank who is a member of the Haberdashers' Company, who previously had a career in the police, rising to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Frank was motivated to become a mentor having benefitted from a Haberdashers' education himself (as an Adams alumnus), “I thought mentoring offered me an excellent opportunity to give something back and contribute in a positive way”.

Even as Head Boy, Enoch was nervous before the first meeting:

“Before I attended my first meeting, I was very nervous. Frank was the former Personal Protection Officer to Tony Blair and so I thought he would have incredibly high expectations as well as a strict style of mentoring.”

Being able to speak about their joint (and sometimes painful) support of Man United helped break the ice:

 “By the end of the first meeting, it was one of the best conversations I have had in my life. Frank did not only bless me with expert academic and career related knowledge, but we were also able to connect on a personal level. For example, both of us understand that Manchester United is far better than any other team in the Premier League despite our shocking performances.”

Enoch described his experience of mentoring so far as "a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I cannot wait for our next meeting”.

Frank shared his advice with prospective mentors, agreeing that having hobbies and interests in common can help get conversations started:

“My advice to mentors would be find common ground early on in the process. We have bonded over football being Manchester United fans.”

Already, Frank has been able to give practical opportunities as well as advice arranging a work placement at the Royal Courts of Justice. Although it is early in the mentoring process, and Frank and Enoch will continue to meet whilst Enoch is in Year 13, Frank has already noticed “an increase in the confidence of my mentee, knowing that he has support and guidance from an independent person who wants to help him achieve his ambitions.”