Mosaic is thrilled to announce it has won a Big Society Award which was announced today, 15 July, by Prime Minister David Cameron MP. The award is in recognition of Mosaic’s achievements across our five UK regions, bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement for young people.

The Big Society Awards were set up by the Prime Minister in November 2010. The aim is to acknowledge individuals and organisations across the UK that demonstrates the Big Society in their work or activities. In so doing, the aim is also to galvanise others to follow. The award focuses upon three specific areas: Outstanding Contribution to Community, Improving Lives and Society through Innovation, Collaboration and New Partnerships and Engaging in Social Action.

Launching the Awards, the Prime Minister said: “There are some amazing projects and remarkable voluntary work going on in towns and cities up and down the country, by all kinds of organisations from large enterprises to tiny grass roots schemes and inspirational individuals.

On announcing Mosaic’s award, the Prime Minister said: “I am a huge believer in the benefits of mentoring. Mosaic does impressive work by offering mentoring to young people in some of the most deprived areas of the country, while boosting and encouraging volunteering at the same time.

A large proportion of their volunteers are taking up volunteering for the first time, showing that Mosaic is driving real and lasting change.”

Khawar Mann, Chairman of Mosaic, said: “We are so proud to have been recognised by the Prime Minister and The Big Society Awards for the work our volunteer mentors do with young, disadvantaged people. Mosaic has been training and providing mentors to primary and secondary schools for almost six years, and we are now beginning to see a ground swell of understanding and recognition regarding the power of mentoring.

This award from The Big Society acknowledges not only the relevance and quality of the work Mosaic does with young people from some of the country’s most deprived communities, but also the relevance and importance of the role of mentoring as a whole.”

In 2013/14, Mosaic will increase its reach to 6000 young people in 150 schools and prisons with the support of some 1,100 active volunteer mentors. Mosaic’s programmes have been independently evaluated by Demos and have shown:

• 10 % improvement in likelihood of mentees wanting to go to university
• 17 % increase in likelihood of mentees gaining a university place
• 10 % increase in mentees views that they would be happier in 12 months time.

The Demos research also showed a noticeable shift post-programme in those with poor initial views about school. Mosaic’s National Director, Jonathan Freeman commented: “The Demos research evidenced the effectiveness of our programmes for young people. In April this year, Mosaic was awarded the Approved Provider Quality Standard (APS) from the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation, which is the quality standard for mentoring and befriending projects and now this recognition from the Big Society Awards really is the icing on the cake for us!”

Mosaic was nominated for The Big Society Award by BBC News journalist and newsreader and Mosaic Ambassador Mishal Husain, who has championed and supported our work since its formation. Commenting on the award, Mishal said: “I am delighted to see Mosaic recognised by this Big Society Award, which will enable its work to reach more people and make even more of a difference.”

See the full list of winners