A high-profile delegation including Sir Nick Parker, Chairman of Step Up To Serve, William Shawcross, Chairman of the Charity Commission, Ruth Cadbury MP, and local business leaders have been given a unique insight into the work being carried out by the Heathrow Community Fund’s (HCF) ‘Inspiring Youth’ programme, during a ‘Seeing is Believing’ visit hosted by Steve Ronald, Chairman of the HCF.

Inspiring Youth is a wide-ranging programme delivered by Mosaic, HRH The Prince of Wales’ mentoring charity, and The Challenge, a leading UK charity for the promotion of integration. It is available to young people living in Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne, with activities also taking place in Richmond, Runnymede, South Bucks, Windsor and Maidenhead.

Delegates began the day hearing of the successful elements of the Inspiring Youth programme, including Mosaic’s flagship programme, the Secondary School Mentoring programme; a powerful package of mentoring supporting that uses positive role models to improve students’ confidence, self-efficacy and employability, as well as including group mentoring, workplace visits, inspirational speeches and competitions. Delegates heard from both the mentors who volunteer their time to work with young people as well as some of the young people themselves.

The delegation then visited Meadowside Care Home in Staines, which is home to 51 older people suffering from dementia. Meadowside is one of several charitable organisations in the area that benefit from young volunteers placed by HeadStart, a programme run by The Challenge and another strand of the ‘Inspiring Youth’ programme. Delegates spoke with volunteers about their experiences of working in the home as well as their future aspirations.

The morning ended with a reception at Royal Windsor Racecourse, where delegates shared their thoughts from the day’s experiences. Sadaq Jalal, Chairman of Aviserv Ltd, a Facilities Management Company based in the Heathrow area, was so inspired by the day’s events that he committed £5000 to support Mosaic’s projects in the future. On Aviserv’s commitment, Sadaq said: “The day was really eye-opening. I particularly enjoyed watching Mosaic’s Secondary School programme in action, and found the focus on helping young people improve their confidence and raise their employment chances really inspiring. These are the qualities Aviserv also commits to, and that’s why we are delighted to be pledging financial support for this excellent work. We look forward to working closely with Mosaic and Heathrow in the future”.

Steve Ronald, Chairman of the Heathrow Community Fund, said: “It’s been a hugely successful day and a pleasure to show off the excellent work that our ‘Inspiring Youth’ programme is carrying out in local communities. The fact that even more local businesses like Aviserv are now pledging to help us grow our work further is testament to the real difference that our various projects are making.”

Jonathan Freeman, Managing Director of Mosaic said: “It has been a real pleasure spending the day sharing with business leaders the important role Mosaic plays in the delivery of the ‘Inspiring Youth’ programme. Our mentors and students made clear to the delegates the benefits that the programme brings to all involved. The fact that more local businesses are now supporting our work means that in the future we can help even more young people in the local community. We hope even more will join us in the future!”