Over 90 youngsters and 40 mothers from schools in the West Midlands took centre stage at a graduation ceremony held at Birmingham City University this week. The graduations took place over two inspiration-packed days.

The schools that attended the event were St George’s, Chilwell Croft, Arden, Chandos, City Road, Anderton Park, Ward End and Parkfield. The graduating participants were supported by teaching staff from each school and their mentors. Around 40 mothers also graduated along with their children.

Mosaic would like to thank Criterion Capital and the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for their generous support of the primary school mentoring programme.

Inspirational guest speakers across the two days of ceremonies included Genelle Aldred, ITV news presenter and Muna Choudhury, an executive at Ashrammoseley, the West Midlands housing association that provides community-inspired housing and services.

Muna Choudhury said: “‘I was honoured to be invited to come and speak with the boys and girls who participated on the Mosaic Programme. It was clear that all involved were passionate in making a change through mentoring the children and through acting as role models in enabling the aspirations of the children to grow.

“The children themselves were bright, inspirational and rightly proud to be called active citizens within the City and having embarked on this journey with their mothers, they graduated at a local University, after having achieved a greater sense of confidence and self-belief in their own abilities. I hope that this is the start of a longer relationship between Mosaic, myself and my organisation and I now want to become a mentor!”

Genelle Aldred delivered a very positive message to the graduates in her speech: “You have what it takes. You have to believe it! You are capable and brilliant and special and unique. There is no one else in the world with the mix of gifts and talents that you have. Don’t rob the world of you. Be you. Bring your gifts to the table.”

Rebecca Mitchell, Mosaic West Midlands Regional Manager said: “It’s great to see the huge interest and success that all Mosaic’s programmes achieve, which is reflected in the numbers of young girls who took part in programme.  Everyone taking part deserves the praise and recognition for all the time and effort they have devoted. Well done to all our mentors, girls and their mothers. And let us not forget the brilliant schools and their staff who do so much to make our programmes a success in the region.”

Jarida Bi, who graduated along with her 10 year old daughter Faria, commented: “The programme brings mothers and daughters together. It’s never too late to achieve your dreams and goals and Mosaic really helped deliver that message to us. We would recommend others to do it too and will forever remember our time.”