City Year UK

It’s been a week since I concluded my journey as a volunteer mentor with City Year UK Year, and I am filled with gratitude and hope. Working with students at The Lammas School has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Observing their progress, along with the resilience, curiosity, and determination they display, has been incredibly fulfilling. With the support of mentors, they have made significant strides, from enhancing academic skills to building confidence. I extend my deepest thanks to Amy Fuller, my Impact Officer, for her invaluable guidance and support. Amy, your insights into leadership, resilience, and community have profoundly influenced my development. My sincere appreciation also goes to my mentor, Renato Chimenti, whose wisdom and encouragement have been a constant source of inspiration throughout this journey. Special thanks to Ryan Pollock, Christina Bryan, and Dean Thomas-Lowde MBA CMgr FCMI for providing the opportunity to be part of such a transformative program. Working with my exceptional team members Hawa Musu Jabbie, Edward Ndow, Tyra Shala, Doreen Poakwa, Bill Gunayon, and Amarah Roojee has been a pleasure. Our collaboration and mutual support fostered a positive environment, making each challenge manageable and each success even more rewarding. During my tenure with City Year UK, I completed two Chartered Management Institute (CMI) courses, significantly enhancing my skills and knowledge. Collaborating with sponsors Bain Capital and Vertex Pharmaceuticals and participating in educational trips have broadened my perspective. With this experience and the skills I’ve developed, I am now open to exploring new opportunities in education, team management, and community engagement. Here’s to new beginnings and continuing to make a meaningful impact. #Grateful #CityYear #Mentorship #NewBeginnings #CommunityImpact #YouthEmpowerment

I have successfully completed my year of service at City Year UK ⭐️ During the past year, I went from being shy & nervous to being excited to take on new opportunities. I ended up hosting my own well-being club for secondary school girls to have a safe psychological space, participated in career recruitment fairs, performed my red talk, mentored students needing extra support and overall simply learned to do things out of my comfort zone! These activities enhanced my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while also teaching me empathy and patience, contributing significantly to my personal and professional growth. A special mention to my amazing team Ife Odubanjo Shazia Sazli Rienne Bengui Rebekah Deveney Frankie F. and also my impact officer Zhauni Walker who all made this day-to-day journey so supportive and enjoyable! ❤️ I would also like to extend my gratitude to Ryan Pollock Alec Jetha Christina Bryan Dean Thomas-Lowde MBA CMgr FCMI Kevin Munday for all your hard work so that we could make the best out of this year! I am grateful for the past year & I will carry the lessons I have learned into my future endeavours. Onto the next chapter!🥂

As 19/07/24 marked my final day with City Year UK, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the transformative experiences and growth I have undergone. This journey has been deeply enriching and I am excited to share some key reflections. Gratitude & Acknowledgements: To begin with, I want to express my sincere appreciation to my Impact Officer, Amy Fuller. Your unwavering support and guidance has been instrumental in my journey with City Year UK. I am also profoundly grateful for my fantastic team: Amarah Roojee, Bill Gunayon, Doreen Poakwa, Edward Ndow, Lesley Donson and Tyra Shala. Working with such passionate and dedicated individuals has been an honour. A special thank you to the students and staff at The Lammas School. The staff's inclusivity profoundly enriched my experience and I am grateful to the students for their kind words and thoughtful gifts. I also want to express my deep appreciation to my family and friends, whose support and encouragement have been a cornerstone of my journey. Your belief in me has been a constant source of strength. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mohannad Yaghmour for his exceptional mentorship and Cllr Usaama Kaweesa for his role in enhancing my professionalism. Both of which have been key elements in my professional & personal growth. Impact & Personal Growth: My role as a mentor has been fulfilling and transformative. Through mentoring, I have supported the development of my mentees but also discovered and honed strengths within myself that I had not previously recognised. This reciprocal process of guidance and learning has been a cornerstone of my professional growth. Witnessing the progress and achievements of my mentees has underscored the importance of empathy, patience and effective communication—qualities that have become integral to my approach as a leader and coach. I have pursued continuous professional development, completing two Chartered Management Institute qualifications that have fortified my skills in managing teams and providing coaching and mentorship. These qualifications have equipped me with a deeper understanding of leadership principles and effective team dynamics, allowing me to apply these concepts practically and with confidence in my roles. My commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond the classroom by participating in trips to Bain Capital, East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre, Debate Mate competitions and much more. I have volunteered alongside Vertex Pharmaceuticals at the Rose Bowl Youth Centre, contributing to various projects that support and enhance the community. Looking Ahead: I am eager to explore academic mentorship roles where I can leverage my coaching and team management background to support student growth. I am open to various positions in schools that allow me to foster a positive learning environment and contribute to academic achievement. #JourneyReflection #CityYearUK #FosteringGrowth #OpenToOpportunies #StudentSucess

On 19/07/24, I finished my placement year with City Year UK. I am filled with gratitude for the experiences I have gained and the growth I have seen in myself, both professionally and personally. A special thank you to my amazing team Ojaswani Rawat, Shweta Shantilal, Shaiza Brar, Folasade Omidire, Jasveer Singh, Lloyd Pope and my impact officer Louise Workman-Dent, who have been there for me throughout this year. I would also like to thank my mentor Henry Wellbelove for the support and opportunities he provided, including gaining an insight into the biotechnology field. He has played a huge role in enhancing my professionalism. I am excited to utilise the transferable skills in my final year at university and going forward in my future career.

Officially graduated from my year of service with City Year UK. This year has provided me with such valuable experiences that have developed my personal and professional skills. A special thank you to my exceptional team Ebun Dawodu Elize Collins Mann Patel Shai Forde who have been there for me, picked me up when I was down and overall been my biggest support system during this year! A final thank you to Ryan Pollock and Christina Bryan for their dedication and support during our training days, truly testing and pushing us to be the best at what we do. I cannot wait to take what I have learnt back to University with me and use my skills and new found knowledge in the future!