Girls Empowerment and Motivation for Success with Millthorpe School
“I learned what jobs you can do.” “It made me want to work in an office.” “I know what the Cabinet Office is.” These are just a few of the takeaways the girls participating in GEMS shared on their final activity at The Cabinet Office York.
Wrapping up GEMS – Girls Empowerment and Motivation for Success, it has been so rewarding to see the development and how far the girls participating have come. Rewind to the first session at Millthorpe School it’s 2:15 pm and a couple of girls have shuffled into the room. Slowly over the next few minutes some more girls join, sitting quietly wondering what this is all about.
The aim of GEMS is to support Year 9 and 10 girls to boost confidence, improve attendance and realise their aspirations. With these goals in mind, a group of girls was selected to participate by the teacher at Millthorpe. Across four weeks we delivered sessions highlighting different careers and our women volunteer’s career journeys. While showcasing York employers, the volunteers delivered activities aimed at developing confidence and self-awareness. Each girl was gifted a journal to mark the beginning of their GEMS journey and we opened each session with a journaling exercise. Each week, the girls took away a journaling prompt to reflect on the activities we had done.
From the outset, the girls were open, eager to hear what our volunteers shared, and as we moved through the sessions, this receptivity gained momentum, until our final session culminated in a workplace visit to The Cabinet Office. The girls asked questions, toured the office space, and openly talked to the volunteers.
What really makes GEMS special and supports the girls to grow, is the amazing women volunteers who get involved and share their own experience, journeys and contribute thoughtful activities born from their passion and experiences. This year we had volunteers from Nestlé, Aviva, Benenden Health and the Cabinet Office. Interacting with a wide range of women with different stories and career pathways broadened the girls’ awareness of the world of work and what success looks like. Vanessa Powell, the teacher organiser shared: “They all thoroughly enjoyed it and want to do it again next year!”
Whilst GEMS provides an amazing opportunity for the girls who are involved. It also is an opportunity for the volunteers who participate. Maria Nacey from Aviva shares: “It is a wonderful feeling to know that you may have made a difference in a young person’s life.”
Ellie Bradshaw said: Being a part of this GEMS volunteering was a wonderful experience for me, and I love what these sessions offer for the girls who attend. As somebody who struggled in school myself, it’s really fulfilling to help others and it’s a wonderful opportunity for me and an excellent thing for the girls. I gained a lot of communication and public speaking experience doing this volunteering which really boosted my mood and my confidence.” In fact 75% of the volunteers shared that participating in GEMS boosted their confidence!
If you are interested in making a difference through our Aspirations programme, we’d love to hear from you.
