HOLY FAMILY CARLTON SCHOOL

The UK is struggling with social mobility and equality of opportunity. Recent research from the Office for National Statistics indicates that there are an estimated 900,000 NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people in the UK - that is 12.6% of young people.

In Autumn 2023, The Diana Award launched the pilot of the Social Action Accelerator Programme. Running alongside the twelve-week Mentoring Programme and taking place once per month over five months, it was an opportunity for two small groups of mentees to further develop and implement the social action projects they began planning during the Mentoring Programme.  

What is The Diana Award Mentoring Programme?

Our Mentoring Programme collaborates with professional volunteer mentors to support young people aged 14-18 who are at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). Throughout the programme, mentors deliver career skills development, whilst encouraging young people to make positive change in their communities through social action.  

How does the Accelerator Programme work?

Two groups of young people from Leeds and West Yorkshire are supported by The Diana Award staff and volunteer mentors for an additional five months, after their time on the Mentoring Programme ends. The aim is to provide the young people with ongoing advice, guidance and resources to support the implementation of their projects, such as venue hire and equipment. Alongside this support, each group are given a budget of £250 to spend on their projects.

Holy Family Carlton School

The first phase of the Accelerator Programme pilot took place at Holy Family Carlton School between October 2023 and March 2024.  

The first group of young people raised awareness of men’s mental health. They fundraised for a charity by organising a school bake sale, raising just short of £100. They also worked together to create a slide desk that was sent out to the wider school, to raise awareness of the issues impacting men’s mental health.  

The second group of young people wanted to increase biodiversity and wellbeing at their school. They planted trees and plants around their school grounds, with the idea to having a dual benefit of increasing student wellbeing by beautifying the area, whilst encouraging biodiversity and a sustainable habitat for bees. They also ran multiple fundraising events, including bingo and movie nights so that their project can have a lasting impact, ensuring upkeep once they leave Holy Family.  

What did the young people and mentors have to say?

“All opinions are heard, they get taken on and not ignored... if it wasn’t like that, we wouldn’t share.” - Mentee

“[The programme] took something that some of us have spent years trying to build a carrer in, into something that was really easily digestible for the young people... it was incredibly done... it allowed me to indulge my passion for doing this.” - Mentor

“Facilitators made a relaxed environment, it wasn’t stressful.” - Mentee

“It’s not about telling them what to do, it’s about guiding them and motivating them.” - Mentor

“I’d like to have done more!” - Mentee

“It’s also like we’re all leaving a legacy together. So that feeling was really, really good.” - Mentor

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