A MENTORING scheme is helping young people across Essex build skills and plan their futures.
Seventeen-year-old Mailli from Colchester joined the We Rise Mentoring Programme for help planning her future.
The Essex County Council-backed programme, led by young people, pairs 16 to 25-year-olds with mentors who help them explore careers, build confidence and learn new skills.
Mailli said: "I joined the We Rise mentoring programme because I wanted to push myself further and speak to an expert about my future.
"We had little to no mentoring support or opportunities in school and I felt it was really important to speak to the right people to get an idea of what I wanted to do."
Mailli was paired with Ruth Gilbert, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, who helped her explore careers and build key skills.
Mailli said: "Ruth has supported me in writing my CV, showed me how to use LinkedIn, looked at degree apprenticeships with me and she very kindly offered me work experience at the Essex Chambers of Commerce."
The mentoring opened up new opportunities for Mailli.
She said: "Through the mentoring, I've had ongoing support, work experience, networking opportunities, enrolment in an AI course and a trip to Parliament."
Ruth became a mentor to help young people explore their options with confidence.
She said: "Through Essex's We Rise programme, I wanted to give Mailli encouragement, insight into the world of work and opportunities to make informed decisions in her own time."
Ruth has most enjoyed watching Mailli grow in confidence.
Ruth said: "Mailli's enthusiasm and curiosity have been a real pleasure.
"I've particularly enjoyed helping her discover different roles and interests with work experience at Essex Chambers without any pressure to settle on a career."
One of the highlights of the programme was inviting Mailli to visit Parliament.
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Ruth said: "I will always remember the excitement on Mailli's face when I offered her the opportunity to visit Parliament.
"Her growing interest in politics and policy made that invitation particularly meaningful."
Councillor Russell Quirk, deputy leader of Essex County Council, said: "Mailli and Ruth’s story shows the difference the right support can make."
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