Royal launch of Mosaic South East at Eton College

HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan, Chairman of Mosaic, was the Guest of Honour at the launch of Mosaic in the South East region at Eton College. on Monday, 4 July. Mosaic was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales and delivers volunteer-led mentoring programmes to support young people growing up in deprived neighbourhoods. The official launch of Mosaic South East provided a fitting celebration by local businesses, schools, mentors, delivery partners and students of the region’s very successful first academic year in the region.

As well as hearing from HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan of Jordan, Chairman of Mosaic UK, over 100 guests heard from local Head Teachers and students who have experienced Mosaic programmes also heard from Shahid Azeem, the newly-appointed Chairman of Mosaic South East.

All of Mosaic’s programmes are based on the simple proposition that young people will succeed if they are supported by those who are already successful and therefore provide programmes based on a foundation of mentoring support, tailored to the needs of particular groups, such as Primary School students, Secondary School students and young offenders.

Over the last ten months, Mosaic South East has actively endorsed Mosaic’s mission as set out by its founder HRH The Prince of Wales to create opportunities for young people of all backgrounds, championed by Muslims and harnessing the power of positive thinking, in Slough, Milton Keynes and Woking. Mosaic South East works together with the multi-cultural Woking Asian Business Forum in Woking and the Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Cultural Organisation in Milton Keynes as delivery partners to ensure timely delivery of Mosaic programmes in their specific area.

Jonathan Freeman, National Director Mosaic UK, said:

“The progress made in the South east region has been remarkable and a testament to our fantastic group of volunteers, committed to helping young people of all backgrounds to raise their aspirations and to make the most of their talents.”

Jonathan Freeman went on to say:

“I am pleased to announce that the Oxford Foundation has agreed to become our delivery partner in Oxfordshire, enabling us to help even more young people to achieve their aspirations across the region.”

Shahid Azeem, Chairman of Mosaic South East said:

“Identifying a need is just the first step in creating a solution. The overwhelming sensitivity and awareness that I have witnessed first hand from the students who made a commitment to participate, to the most dedicated mentors from across our whole community, to the full and active support of the school at every level is where the success belongs.” Shahid added, “These dynamics are the same as those found in all professional sports. Every person is critical to the team and every game is critical to the playoffs. The real difference is, this is the game of life where lives are positively changed forever!”

Mosaic in the South East region counts as its supporters some of the most successful individuals from local communities in the region. Key to the success of Mosaic’s work in the South East region is the network of successful individuals committing their time to its work. The launch event at Eton College celebrated this network for the pivotal role they played in setting up Mosaic in the South East and delivering almost 1300 mentoring experiences to young people in the region in less than one academic year.

Currently, Mosaic South East supports schools in the region by working with young people on raising levels of confidence and self-efficacy, while improving their overall employability.

Punam Kharbanda, Mosaic South East Regional Manager, said: “I am delighted that Mosaic is now firmly established in the South East region. It is great to see the students captivated by our programmes and to offer new and exciting opportunities to students and schools in the region.”