Routes2Success (R2S) is Action for Race Equality’s flagship ethnic minority role-model and mentoring programme. It has been running since 2013, providing quality role-model and mentoring services for children and young people across UK schools, Pupil Referral Units, Prisons, and Youth Offending Teams.
Last week, the R2S team held a special in-person event with 12 of our volunteer role models and mentors at the Voluntary Action Islington building to celebrate the impact the initiative has had across 2019 – 2022: the years the project has been funded by the Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund.
The evening also paved an opportunity for ARE associate, Karl Murray or FW BUSINESS LTD, to showcase latest findings from his external evaluation of the programme. This brought together qualitative and quantitative findings from participating children and young people, schools and the volunteers themselves, capturing the impact Route2Success is having on all involved in the programme.
I feel like R2S helped and taught me to always dream.”
Young person, 2022
…. If I knew what I now know, I would have made some different choices, and as such, wanted to see how I could support [a child’s] journey by sharing what I have learnt over the years”
Role model, 2022
I just wanted to send a quick message to say thank you for the workshops that you have put on for us over the last few weeks. The students have continued to talk about it and their positivity and language has really changed which is fantastic.’
Assistant Headteacher, Enfield
Discover more by reading the
Executive Summary 2019 – 2022.
At a glance: 2019-2022
60 male and female role-models were trained up to deliver a series of three 90 minute long workshops
57 workshops were carried out across 19 schools and alternative education settings
572 children and young people took part in the programme
70% of young people on sessions were schooled in the London Borough of Enfield
Vision for 2023
During the event Programme Manager, Brianna Cyrus, also shared future plans for Routes2Success, announcing the programme has received corporate funding from Glendower Capital – a private equity firm.
This generous funding has allowed Routes2Success to start delivering role model and mentoring sessions in the boroughs of Islington, Westminster, and return to delivery in Enfield.
From 2023, Routes2Success plans to expand the programme by delivering a small number of race equality action projects (REAP) per year. These projects will allow young people to work with role models for a longer period of time and an emphasis will be placed on developing key skills such as leadership and entrepreneurship.
Lastly, the Routes2Success Team shared that they will be engaging in more partnership work in the coming years in order to share resources and best practice with organisations in similar fields.
To make these plans a reality, Routes2Success warmly welcomes new applications from individuals interested in becoming a role model or mentor.
For more information on Routes2Success, including how to volunteer, visit Routes2Success, read our FAQs, or contact Phoebe Georgestone, Project Support Officer