Kayleigh Arthurs: Mentoring and supporting the next generation
At GA Solicitors we always encourage our staff to engage with our local community, support charitable organisations and initiatives, and give back wherever possible.
This has certainly been taken to the next level by employment solicitor, Kayleigh Arthurs.
Kayleigh has become involved with both Plymouth Argyle Community Trust and Plymouth’s YMCA to provide support and mentoring to young people.
This year is the second year that Kayleigh has been involved in the YMCA’s mentoring scheme, My Future. My Future is a youth programme that helps guide and support young people through mentoring. Working alongside inspiring individuals from a range of businesses, students have raised aspirations and the chance of a better future.
The programme is offered to young people from Discovery College as well as other schools within Plymouth and is supported by the YMCA’s careers team and a professional life and career coach.
The programme assigns each young person a business professional mentor who volunteers their time for the academic year. Both mentee and mentor will meet regularly to discuss various topics, ranging from careers, aspirations, life skills and employability. With the support of a professional careers advisor and life coach, mentors can access resources and training, as well as guidance throughout the process.
As well as supporting her nominated mentee from Discovery College, Kayleigh has this year also signed up for a similar programme provided by Argyle Community Trust.
Run slightly differently, Argyle’s scheme spans 12 weeks and is open to young people aged 16-24 who are not in employment, education, or training. The scheme provides fantastic personal development opportunities and access to career pathways in a variety of industries.
Over the 12 weeks, those who take part will complete:
- 100 hours of work experience
- Optional Functional Skills (maths and English)
- Educational workshops based on employability skills.
The sessions they hold are designed to be fun, engaging and based in the classroom and a variety of settings – including sports halls, gyms, and tennis courts
Kayleigh will be working alongside the Trust and will be providing talks and attending meet and greet sessions with the young people taking part.
Explaining why she is involved in these initiatives, Kayleigh said: “My background is very different to what you would expect from a solicitor and I understand that many young people with more difficult backgrounds, may feel that they aren’t able to form a career in law or accountancy or any other high level or professional services. I am passionate about letting them know that they have options and with the right attitude they can achieve whatever they wish – there is additional support out there.
“I am a prime example having been awarded the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme Scholarship (DAS) to help me to achieve my dreams of becoming a solicitor. There is help out there, you just need to work hard and know how to access it. If I can help other young people realise their potential then this will make all of my time more than worthwhile.
“I also encourage anyone else who may be considering involved to do so. Mentoring can very rewarding and you could make a huge difference to someone’s future.”
You can read more about GA’s work in the community here.
All content on this website (inclusive of guides, blogs and imagery) is strictly copyrighted by Gill Akaster LLP, trading as GA Solicitors. It is not to be used by any third party without prior contact and permission. Any requests for content should be sent to katy.mckenna@GAsolicitors.com.