Over 80 Mosaic West Midlands supporters braved the cold to spend a delightful couple of hours at the Mid-Year Celebration event at La Favorita Restaurant in Birmingham on the evening of 14 January 2013.

The event was sponsored by Mr Raja Khan of Richmond Pharmacy and Mr Paul Williams of Fairgate Construction Services and was attended by Regional Leadership Group members, including Chairman Mr Shabir Nawab who spoke passionately about the work and impact that Mosaic has on children, young people and the wider community.

Children such as ten-year-old Ifsha from St John’s Primary School who delighted the audience as she spoke with confidence and clarity about her own personal experience “Mosaic is spectacular. This experience has pushed me and made me believe in myself”. Mum Minara listened with pride and then added her own account of the Mosaic journey “This programme has motivated me to help my daughter with her journey in life. I have learnt a lot more about the education system and that will help me support all of my children”.

Nine-year-old Humaira from Leigh Junior and Infant School also took to the stage and enthralled the audience with her account “Mosaic has taught me to be confident and I learnt about the environment around us. I have learnt that not only do men do jobs like engineering and building but that women can do them as well. The mentors helped us through different activities and made us realise how important education is and that we must always do our best. I really enjoyed the project!” Fellow mentee Loretta added “I loved the workshops because they opened my eyes to what I want to do when I leave school and in later life. Being on Mosaic has taught me that if I work really hard at school I can achieve my personal goals by going to college and university”. Mum Elaine also spoke “Mosaic was an eye opener for me and my daughter. The mentors have really made me realise that no matter what my daughter wants to be in later life I have to support her and encourage her with her dreams, but also telling her how important it is to do well at school and go to college and university”.

Take a look at these wonderful photos from the day:

The primary speakers were joined by Bordesley Green Girls Sixth Formers Zainab and Hawa who completed their mentoring programme just before the Christmas break. Zainab explained how each session had a theme to target individual needs and how activities tested their teamwork, communication and listening skills: “These skills are life skills which will benefit us in every aspect of life and thanks to the mentoring programme we have developed these skills to our maximum potential” concluded Zainab. Sixteen year old Hawa added “On behalf of the all the girls from Bordesley Green Girls School I would like to thank the Mosaic mentors who took out time to take part in the programme as we have truly benefited by it”.

Mentors Uzma Minhas and Azhar Kholwadia from the primary and secondary programme respectively gave on overview of their mentoring experiences, the benefits it has brought to the participants and their own personal development.

Annalisa Lockett, West Midlands Regional Manager summed up the event. “This academic year has so far been incredible. The Autumn term saw us delivering and completing our programmes in five primary schools and two secondary schools with more delivery taking place over the Spring and Summer term in a further 26 schools. Listening to our mentee speakers this evening is so inspirational and I admire their confidence in being able to stand in front of a large and diverse audience and speak with such pride, passion and self belief. Our work would not be possible without the determination and drive of an incredible group of mentors who juggle busy work schedules with their Mosaic commitments. This evening was not only a celebration of our work but also an opportunity to say thank you to the people who make it possible”.

Mosaic West Midlands are currently looking for female mentors to volunteer in four primary schools. The mentoring programmes will run from March to June 2013. Could it be you? Or someone you know? If you are interested in getting involved, please contact for further information. Thank you!