Doesn’t every CHILD Have a dream...?
Every child has a dream. What if I were to tell you that many of these dreams – a career in Banking and Finance, a place at university, a new business idea, a livelihood in Sport or the Arts – don’t ever materialise? Not because of inability or inaptitude, but because of a postcode; an environment not conducive to aspiration, to achievement, to greatness.
OUR VISION
Turning inequality into opportunity for non-privileged young people
“Having grown up in a similar environment, being a father myself and seeing the stories of the young people means that I know first-hand that their narrative, and experiences, are completely unacceptable. We want to work with these young people, their schools and the wider community to bring long and lasting change”
- Nilesh, Founder of icanyoucantoo™
Unacceptable Narrative
The unacceptable narrative we hear from young people from non-privileged backgrounds
“...I thought all black people in the Canary Wharf offices were security guards or cleaners”
“My parents both work in factories and my school doesn’t offer work experience opportunities - how will someone like me ever be prepared to get a professional job?”
What we believe
-
Young people should not be held back by their social status;
-
The ‘value’ of people’s skills and grades should not be defined by their background;
-
Our society will benefit if there is increased diversity of individuals from all backgrounds in education; the workplace; judiciaries and government
WHAT WE DO
Young people are at the heart of everything we do
The icanyoucantoo mentoring and coaching programme takes place
over regular fortnightly sessions, across a single academic year, for Year-12 students
Objectives:
1
Provide access to
real role models
2
Give opportunities and access to a variety of industries, professions
and work locations
3
Coach practical skills required for higher education and the workplace
Outcomes
How we hold ourselves accountable
Since inception in 2016/17:
Measuring our impact
92%
ASPIRATION
92% ASPIRATION
of the young people feel their aspirations had been raised
87%
SKILLS
87% SKILLS
of the young people feel they are better equipped with the skills for their future
100%
NOT NEET
100% NOT NEET
of the young people who complete our programme go forward to further education, an apprenticeship or a full-time job – i.e. none are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training)
Equality , Diversity and Inclusion
94%
BAME
94% BAME
of our young people are from a BAME background
58%
FEMALE
58% FEMALE
Student ratio (Male : Female)
is 42% : 58%
5
ENTRY CRITERIA
5 ENTRY CRITERIA
Our entry criteria is a ‘5’ in English and Maths at GCSE. This means
our programme is not for the
‘Gifted and Talented’
ALUMNI OUTCOMES
Our students have secured work experience; apprenticeships or will study for a university degree at the following establishments:
Just some examples - not exhaustive.
OUR FOUNDER'S STORY
My parents came to the UK in the 1970s - my father from Tanzania and mother from India. Neither of them had any formal schooling and my dad worked as a mechanic (Ford Motor Company). We lived in council accommodation in Newham...
awards | PUBLICITY
Some highlights:
Forbes
Featured on Forbes.com - Meet The Man Turning Inequality Into Opportunity For The Next Generation Of Leaders...
EY Story Slam Winners 2020 - For improving social mobility by creating apprentice/school leaver opportunities
EY
Better Begins With You - EY International Award - Strengthening Our Communities
AWM
NDA
BM
Brummell Magazine – Rising Star Of The City
Asian Wealth Magazine - The finance man providing opportunities for children from the shadows of Canary Wharf
National Diversity Award - Positive Role Model Award for Race, Religion & Faith (Finalist)
THE TEAM
The programme is supported by a wonderful team of volunteers. Each member of the Core Team is highly qualified, is a top professional and just a superb all round human-being 😄. But more than anything else, they have:
•a passion to support, and
•a personality to inspire...
​
…for you see anyone can lend a ‘pair of hands’ but this team - it has given the young people their hearts.
Academic:
Law; Music
Professional:
Bids; Financial Services; Communications
Caroline Spencer
Chris Mallet
Academic:
BA History
Professional:
Strategy Consulting, Investment Banking
Joseph Massey
Academic:
Engineering (MEng)
Professional:
Management Consultancy, MedTech
Joshua-Tobi Akinsowon
Academic:
Accountancy (ACA)
Professional:
Insurance sector, Accounting
Sheena Sethi
Academic:
BA International Business, Accountancy CA
Professional:
Financial Services; Audit; Insurance
Testimonials
Transforming young lives
"
During my GCSE years, when I actually failed English, I was selling drugs to help out financially at home – fast forward 2 years and I am going to be starting an apprenticeship with a prestigious Bank in the city – and I passed GCSE English too 😊
case studIES
Click here to read some of our Alumni stories
COVID-19
Our programme gives us unique access
Because we are in and amongst the community, we hear and see what is going on. When the Covid-19 disruption began, we quickly learnt how our young people, and their families, were disproportionately affected
by the pandemic.
We kicked off a whole bunch of activities when lockdown began back in March. Since then, on a daily basis, we have been supporting our young people and their families. We are absolutely intend to carry on and you can help us too…
