Power Up Mentors: A Catalyst for Youth Ambition in Worcestershire Schools
As Nigel Pugh, trustee at Power Up Mentoring Foundation, I’ve witnessed first hand the transformative impact our experienced mentors bring to schools in Worcestershire. Our foundation’s unique programme aligns perfectly with local needs, delivering tangible gains for students, teachers, and communities alike.
1. Mentee Centric Mentoring: Fuelling Confidence and Self Belief
At the heart of Power Up lies a deeply mentee centric approach: matching learners with qualified, enthusiastic, and passionate mentors who build self-belief, confidence, and energy for personal growth (Power Up).
Mentors don’t simply offer advice they empower students to envision a brighter future, championing the belief that anything is possible.
2. Professionalism and Trust: Structured, Safe, Effective
Our work in Worcestershire is anchored in professionalism and safety. All mentors:
- Undergo enhanced DBS checks
- Receive recognised mentor training
- Hold relevant qualifications before engaging with mentees (Worcestershire County Council, Power Up)
This rigorous process ensures schools can trust the calibre and integrity of the mentors entering their environments.
3. Linking Aspirations with Real World Experience
Worcestershire’s Power Up mentors are local business professionals who understand the region’s industries, skills, and opportunities. This ground level insight:
- Elevates students’ awareness of post-16 and career options
- Helps them develop real world skills such as communication, problem-solving, and ambition (Worcestershire County Council, Facebook)
Through monthly mentoring sessions—adapted to school needs students gain snapshots of life beyond the classroom, boosting motivation and clarity.
4. Amplifying Gatsby Benchmarks and Career Readiness
This mentoring directly complements the Gatsby Benchmarks a key framework for career guidance in schools. By offering personalised guidance, exploring pathways, and sharing practical insights, our mentors help schools meet critical benchmarks while enriching the student experience holistically.
5. Local Impact: Worcestershire Focused, Community Driven
Our Foundation operates across England and Wales with a hands-on local focus (Worcestershire County Council, Power Up). In Worcestershire, Power Up:
- Bridges schools with local business leaders
- Fosters community ties
- Highlights the rich pool of regional expertise available to young people
Students benefit not only from mentorship but also from feeling rooted in the opportunities and pride of their local area.
6. Trustees Bridging Experience with Youth Ambitions
Our trustees bring a wealth of relevant expertise tailored for the young people we serve:
- Nigel Pugh – seasoned entrepreneur in drone and geospatial technology, leader in Midlands-based Impact Aerial Ltd (Worcestershire County Council, Power Up, Power Up)
- Dr Rob Milford – expert in business consultancy and leadership; trains mentors and supports local universities and schools in Worcestershire (Power Up)
- Katrina Kerr, Louise Laxton, and others bring backgrounds in teaching, wellbeing, and operations, enhancing the foundation’s reach and empathy (Power Up)
With this depth of leadership, schools can be confident that mentoring is both visionary and rooted in proven experience.
7. Inspiring Futures Today, Building Leaders Tomorrow
Mentoring is not just about the present it’s about cultivating tomorrow’s leaders. As Jon Gordon eloquently puts it:
“Mentors make you better. Mentors show you what is possible. Mentors help you find the best in yourself by sharing their best with you.” (Jon Gordon)
At Power Up, we believe that every mentee has untapped potential. Our mentors light the way not dictating paths, but sparking ambition, resilience, and purpose.
Why Worcestershire Schools Should Partner with Power Up
| Benefit | Description |
| Boosted Confidence | Mentees gain self-belief and drive through tailored mentoring. |
| Safe & Qualified | Enhanced DBS checks and formal training ensure professionalism and clarity. |
| Career & Academic Insight | Guidance tailored to life beyond school, mapped to local contexts. |
| Career Benchmark Support | Strong alignment with Gatsby Benchmarks and career-readiness goals. |
| Local Leadership | Trustees’ expertise ensures mentoring resonates with community needs. |
| Sustainable Impact | Mentors model leadership, fostering future mentorship cycles. |
If you’d like to explore how a local school can get involved whether through educator info sessions, mentor introductions, or tailored mentoring programmes I’d be delighted to help facilitate that. Together, we can empower young people across Worcestershire to reach their full potential.
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Nigel Pugh
Trustee, Power Up Mentoring Foundation
