Published: 05 Dec 2018
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The Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) is a charity which aims to make a practical improvement in social mobility for young people from low-income backgrounds. With the help of professionals across 11 different career sectors, we support high-achieving 6th form and undergraduate students who have the academic ability to flourish in the top universities and professions, but who lack the encouragement, confidence and networks to help them get there.
‘I am ambitious and hardworking. The only thing that I felt was holding me back in my career and education was a lack of connections. After all in many cases it’s more about who you know, instead of what you know. Thanks to the team at the SMF, I have been able to experience things that I could have never experienced without their help. I learnt a lot about what it takes to get my dream job, and came back from my internship more motivated than ever before.’ Year 13 cohort, 2018
Around a year ago I received my first email from my mentor, Sam… I never felt like a question would be seen as foolish and so felt able to ask questions I would have been too nervous to ask otherwise and that was one of the greatest things about the whole experience – it managed to be formal and informative, but friendly and interesting in equal measure.’ University of Warwick, 2017
Our support
Our free-of-charge Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP) supports students from year 12 and throughout university until they find employment. Our support includes e-mentoring by a professional, tailored skill sessions and career workshops, university application support, and internships with employers.
Ways to get involved
Becoming an SMF mentor is a great way to see our students develop and help them to fulfil their potential. Mentoring takes place via email and is just a 15 – 30 minute commitment every fortnight. It is a crucial part of our programme, giving students key insights into how to get a job like yours. Our 2019 mentoring programme will start in April 2019. If you are interested, you can can sign-up at www.socialmobility.org.uk/sign-up-professionals
Hosting an SMF student on work experience is an invaluable way to help students gain real, first-hand experiences of their chosen career, and begin to build the professional networks they may otherwise struggle to access. SMF work experience takes place after students’ first year of sixth form. You or your organisation would host one or more SMF students, usually for one or two weeks during the summer holidays or October half term.
Our reach
In 2018 we supported more than 1,600 year 12 students across the UK, of which 260 were interested in a career in a science-related field. We look forward to working with even more SMF students in the coming year.
Our 2018 results
- We increased the probability of students attending a university most visited by employers by up to 43%
- 96% of employers think the young people they host are the calibre that could be employed in their sector after university
- 90% of students say that they are likely to apply for future opportunities at their internship organisation
If you are interested in supporting the SMF and our ambitious young people, please contact Ayesha Begum at ayesha.begum@socialmobility.org.uk or 0207 183 1189.
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