Make a Difference in England & Wales
If you are passionate about improving social mobility in the legal profession, there are many ways you can make a difference. Whether you are involved by offering an internship or becoming a mentor, any commitment at all can change the life of an aspiring lawyer.
Become a Mentor
The Social Mobility Foundation are always seeking new mentors for their Aspiring Professionals Programme, whereby you can mentor a young person who hopes to pursue a career in your field via email. The SMF will provide you with support throughout the mentor-mentee relationship and organises various events which may result in the opportunity to meet your mentee.
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More information:
https://www.socialmobility.org.uk/get-involved/professionals/ways-to-get-involved/
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Become a Corporate Mentor
IntoUniversity are looking for professional graduates to mentor Year 13 students who are in the final year of their studies.
Mentors will be given the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with one of our older students, providing vital pastoral support during a difficult period of transition and opening their eyes to new career paths and opportunities.
Priority is given to employees from organisations which sponsor IntoUniversity and support our programme.
Our corporate mentors must meet the following requirements:
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hold an undergraduate degree and be in full-time employment
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a commitment to providing the best possible support to our young people
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enthusiasm and a proactive approach
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an ability to build a relationship with a young person
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are available for meetings on weekday afternoons and are able to meet at an IntoUniversity centre 3 times before meeting offsite
More information:
https://intouniversity.org/content/corporate-mentoring
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Become a GROW Mentor
GROW is a legal mentoring initiative, pairing aspiring lawyers with legal professionals. Mentees are assigned a mentor who is able to offer tailored advice through frequent email contact, monthly scheduled video/phone calls and hopefully, very soon, in person catch ups, coffees and mentoring events.​ You could apply to be a mentor to help make a difference to social mobility in the legal profession.
GROW mentors benefit from:
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Supporting an aspiring lawyer wanting to enter the legal profession
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Progressing diversity and inclusion
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Learning about the challenges that students currently face
More information:
https://growmentoring.wixsite.com/grow
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Provide an Internship
The Social Mobility Foundation relies on the involvement of organisations committed to improving social mobility to provide students from disadvantaged backgrounds with work experience. If your organisation could provide an internship, please get in touch.
More information:
https://www.socialmobility.org.uk/get-involved/professionals/ways-to-get-involved/
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Become a Student Volunteer
IntoUniversity are seeking university students and members of the community to volunteer as Academic Support Tutors at their after-school sessions.
The Academic Support Programme provides free tutoring and support to young people in a stimulating classroom environment. Young people receive tailored help with homework, coursework, revision and study skills.
Volunteer tutors are an integral part of our centres. Volunteers act as role models, supporting academic progress and providing inspiration and encouragement to young people for whom university education is not necessarily a common expectation.
Tutors must meet the following requirements:
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Minimum Grade C in English and Maths GCSE or equivalent
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Enthusiasm for education
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Interpersonal skills
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Ability to act on initiative
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Patience
Tutors must be prepared to commit to one session per week for at least 12 weeks over the academic year.
More information:
https://intouniversity.org/node/74
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Volunteer with Career Ready
Career Ready provides mentoring, masterclasses and internships to young people from less advantaged areas to prepare them for the world of work. You could volunteer to provide any of these services and help to boost social mobility and bridge the skills gap.
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More information:
https://careerready.org.uk/volunteer-with-us
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Social Mobility Ambassador
The Law Society of England and Wales Social Mobility Ambassadors form a network of solicitors who are committed to sharing their stories and raising the aspirations of students and graduates interested in joining the profession.
The role of a social mobility ambassador includes:
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sharing how they became a solicitor
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raising the profile of social mobility and fair access in the legal profession
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helping people who want to be solicitors understand the legal profession
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mentoring students, formally or informally, including those on the Diversity Access Scheme
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taking part in the selection and interview process for the Diversity Access Scheme
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writing articles on diversity and inclusion
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networking with local law societies
These services are provided through:
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university and school events
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formal and informal mentoring programmes
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workshops to help people who want to be solicitors through the interview and application process
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publishing interviews and case studies giving advice from our ambassadors
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ask an ambassador, allowing solicitors and aspiring solicitors to ask the ambassadors questions
More information: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/social-mobility-ambassadors/
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Become a STRIVE Mentor
Strive is a mentoring initiative for law students who:
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attended a state school
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have 320 UCAS points or are on track to receive a 2:1
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are diverse in any way, whether it be by gender, ethnicity or socio-economic background
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Strive believe that the path to success is paved with the support and belief of those who believed in us before we believed in ourselves. Mentors are a key part of their offering to law students. If you are passionate about inspiring change as a mentor, they would love to hear from you.
More information:
https://www.striveconsultants.co.uk/join-us
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Become a Student Mentor
The IntoUniversity Mentoring Scheme matches a young person (aged 10-17) with a volunteer, giving them the opportunity to receive tailored, one-to-one support for their academic attainment, social skills and future planning.
Being a mentor involves:
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Working one-to-one with an IntoUniversity student for one hour at least twice a month.
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Meeting with your Mentee for at least five sessions.
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Planning your mentoring sessions in advance, with the support of IntoUniversity staff. Activities might range from helping your Mentee with their homework or working on their public speaking, to baking a cake together or taking part in a group trip to a university.
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Attending a mentoring graduation event with your Mentee at the end of the year.
More information:
https://intouniversity.org/student-mentoring
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Social Mobility Business Partnership
A volunteer-led charity, the Social Mobility Business Partnership is a collaboration of 130+ commercial organisations, professional services firms and professional sports teams working across 13 towns/cities. All are committed to supporting Year 12 students from low income backgrounds in their pursuit of a career in business. SMBP starts with an induction where students learn about SRA, CILEx, Law Society of Northern Ireland, Law Society of Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, The Bar Standards Board, ICAEW, ACCA and ICAS graduate and non-graduate pathways to the professions, the future impact of AI on the delivery of professional services and the facts about university finance.
Students benefit from visiting four different businesses in a week, learning through interactive business games, and spend the fifth day at a professional sports club where they learn about the psychology of resilience. An online coaching platform then supports them through their journey to a career.
The SMBP runs in tandem with existing outreach programmes such as the Sutton Trust, PRIME and IntoUniversity. However, if your area is not covered by these programmes and you think your school may benefit from this programme, please get in touch with SMBP.
More information:
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Buddy Days
As part of a team of volunteers you will welcome a group of young people aged 12 - 13 to your university to help them understand more about higher education.
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Buddy Days consist of a planned campus tour and an engaging workshop designed in collaboration with IntoUniversity staff.
The day will take place at one of our partner universities. However, students from any university can participate. All volunteers receive full training and will be supported in designing an interactive session. The visit will last from 10am to 2.30pm.
More information:
https://intouniversity.org/content/buddy-programme
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Generation Success Mentors
Generation Success runs several programmes to assist young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed in their chosen profession. However, to be successful in any field, aspiring leaders require role models and guidance. This is especially true in today’s business climate.
You could help a young person and facilitate social mobility by becoming a mentor. Being a mentor is more important than ever – and you will get more out of the relationship than you think!
More information:
https://www.generation-success.com/gensuccess-mentoring/mentoring
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