Agnieszka is currently studying A-level Business, Mathematics, Psychology and Polish at Skinners’ Academy Sixth Form. She first became involved with Mosaic in 2015, when she entered the Mosaic Enterprise Challenge with her team ‘iRoundUp’, the team went on to be named the 2015/2016 National Champions. The iRoundUp scheme allows pupils to donate spare change to a nominated charity from the electronic currency stored on their ParentPay school identity cards. The CEO of ParentPay was so impressed with the iRoundUp scheme that he launched it on ParentPay’s platform across 6000 schools. Within its first year the iRoundUp scheme raised over £42,000 for charity.
Agnieska (far right) with her 2015 Enterprise Challenge winning team iRoundUp
The Mosaic Enterprise Challenge opened up many doors for Agnieszka and her team mates. Since their win Agnieszka has mentored Skinners’ Academy’s 2016/2017 Enterprise Challenge champions ‘YouTe@ch’ – thereby making Skinner’s Academy the only school to win two consecutive years in a row. iRoundUp’s mentor during the challenge, Brooke Greville, also gave Agnieszka the opportunity to complete a work placement at his company. Agnieszka has also represented Skinners’ Academy and Mosaic at various public events, sharing her experiences and encouraging people to participate in and support Mosaic mentoring programmes.
The Mosaic Enterprise Challenge programme helped Agnieszka build her confidence, not only with public speaking but also through developing transferable entrepreneurial skills that she can hopefully one day use to build her own business. Agnieszka recently returned to Mosaic as a judge in the South East Enterprise Challenge Regional Finals 2018 – kicking off the first of 6 across the country. Speaking of what it was like being on the other end of the challenge this time around Agnieszka said “It took me right back to when I was up there with my own team 3 years ago!”
“Naturally I think I identified and related to teams the most out of all the judges and I hope the students were able to take me coming back as a judge of a competition I myself took part in only a few years ago as great motivation and inspiration for all the things that could be possible for them too.”
For now Agnieszka is looking forward to completing her A-levels and hopefully moving back to Poland to undertake an International Business Bachelor Degree at the University of Economics in Cracow. She remains a passionate advocate for Mosaic programmes, wanting to continue to support Mosaic in the future as a volunteer mentor and ambassador for the cause.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor for one our programmes or would simply like to find out more information do so here.
Mosaic’s programmes show how simple but effective engagement by businesses and volunteers can make a real difference in boosting the life chances of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the last five years, so many volunteers have given inspiration to thousands of young people across the country. It is important...