We are delighted to be shortlisted in the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards in the Community Partner category.
The nomination in this prestigious award acknowledges our long-standing partnership with ICG Asset Management. Established in 2012, it’s now at the start of its second five-year collaboration.
Through ThinkForward, ICG links with LEAP (London East Alternative Provision school). Their financial contribution funds a ThinkForward coach who supports 40 young people – 10 students in each year group from Years 10 through to 13, for four years. Excluded from mainstream school, they are more at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training).
In addition to supporting the provision of the coach, the partnership is successful because ICG staff are also very firmly integrated through business mentor volunteering and hosting work experience.
Kevin Munday, ThinkForward CEO said: ‘We are delighted that the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards judges have recognised the value and uniqueness of ThinkForward’s fantastic partnership with ICG and the London East Alternative Provision School in Tower Hamlets, whose pupils are at increased risk of leaving school without a job, employment, training or study place with, all the negative consequences that has for their future.’
Head of HR at ICG, Jo Zendel said: “ICG is extremely proud of its involvement with ThinkForward and with the young people from LEAP in particular. Our employees feel privileged to participate in the mentoring partnership and take great satisfaction from being able to positively influence the long-term outcomes of the students.”
The ThinkForward coach at LEAP provides intensive support over four years. Young people are not churned through a programme over a period of just a few months. Instead, as a trusted adult, who is not a parent or teacher, the coach is in a unique position to guide, advise and support students going through some of the most challenging years of their young lives.
John Bradshaw, LEAP headteacher, recognises the benefit ThinkForward brings to his school. He said: I am fortunate to work with ThinkForward. The coach has made a significant impact on the life chances of the students he works with. Apart from high-level 1:1 personalised support they also provide experiences which many of our pupils would not normally have.
The Lord Mayor’s final judging panel will meet to decide the winners and they will be announced at a dinner at Mansion House in September.