FROM MENTEE TO MENTOR University of Birmingham BAME Student Employability Project to first year UG mentor Presented by Jane Tope & Joel Graham-Blake

What we had at our disposal… -One off donation from the Alumni fund £4,000 for a year -Each other …and a self awareness/development approach -Each other …and a self awareness/development approach -And a desire to do something but we were limited in what we could spend the money on WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

What we needed to address… Background information: - Around 28% of all students at UoB are BAME; - Outside London highest % at a Russell Group university; - BUT…less likely to stay after the first year, gain a first or upper second, complete their degree; - Or gain a full-time job after graduation /8 52.2% BAME, 58.7% White and 9.9% BAME, 5.6% White students unemployed after graduation.

Solution had to be radical..

Founder of a Diversity Management and Leadership service for UK universities Chair of West Midlands CSR Summit Group Awarded Birmingham Young Professional Year former factory worker from inner city Birminghamwww.cultiv8solutions.com

Together, we went back to basics! Consulted with 40 BAME students (20 home and 20 international) through focus groups Consulted with 40 BAME students (20 home and 20 international) through focus groups THEY identified their main key barriers to success at university as…what do you think they are?: THEY identified their main key barriers to success at university as…what do you think they are?: Lack of BAME role models Lack of BAME role models Feelings of isolation Feelings of isolation Lack of networking/family connections Lack of networking/family connections Racism Racism De-motivation in job searching and other issues… De-motivation in job searching and other issues…

BAME Programme Apr 10 – Sep 10: Press release, business & social network marketing for mentors Apr 10 – Sep 10: Press release, business & social network marketing for mentors Oct 10 - JGB sourced BAME mentors Oct 10 - JGB sourced BAME mentors Networking event for students and prospective mentors Networking event for students and prospective mentors 12 mentors recruited 12 mentors recruited 25 students interviewed 25 students interviewed 30 minute interview per student 30 minute interview per student 18 students chosen for the programme and matched 18 students chosen for the programme and matched Additional support resources created Additional support resources created Nov - Apr 2011: M/M met min once per month with additional contacts by their agreement Nov - Apr 2011: M/M met min once per month with additional contacts by their agreement JT (mentee checks) JGB (Mentor checks) JT (mentee checks) JGB (Mentor checks) End of programme Social event and Q&A session with both mentee and mentors. End of programme Social event and Q&A session with both mentee and mentors. UoB and Cultiv8 Solutions conducted programme evaluations. UoB and Cultiv8 Solutions conducted programme evaluations.

Results 10 mentors completed the programme 10 mentors completed the programme 16 mentees completed the programme of which: 16 mentees completed the programme of which: 1 founded a brand new social enterprise with their mentor – ; 2 developed enough self-belief to conquer their fear of interviews – both have been accepted onto post graduate courses on free scholarships; 2 have now changed career goals, to achieve a more senior position than they originally planned for; 2 felt more confident to continue with their own business. What they said….

Year 2 BAME Programme will run for a second year BAME Programme will run for a second year 5 mentees from Year 1 have been trained as peer mentors 5 mentees from Year 1 have been trained as peer mentors Supporting first year BAME students as part of their induction into university Supporting first year BAME students as part of their induction into university Peer mentors will receive PSA Award and potential ILM Peer Mentoring qualifications Peer mentors will receive PSA Award and potential ILM Peer Mentoring qualifications JGB agreed to support UoB for second year JGB agreed to support UoB for second year 60% of mentors from Year 1 have requested to continue for Year 2. 60% of mentors from Year 1 have requested to continue for Year 2. Already received requests from larger businesses to supply staff, as mentors for Year 2 Already received requests from larger businesses to supply staff, as mentors for Year 2

Here they are…some of them!

Feel free to get in touch! Jane Tope, Equality Student Advisor, University of Birmingham Tel: Joel Graham-Blake, MD Cultiv8 Solutions Tel: Web: