Career Coach
Career Coach is a five year coaching programme for children in care. Do you remember that person who inspired you in your teenage years? Did you have positive role models to learn from and opportunities to meet people from the world of work?
Bristol WORKS is making a commitment to children in care which will transform lives and empower young people.
Career Coach matches coaches with young people, aged 13 or 14 and looked after by the Local Authority, with inspirational local professionals, based on their interests and preferred ways of learning.
The aim is to support the student over the next five years to:
- Develop their interpersonal skills, to take responsibility and to build self-efficacy and self-belief
- Develop or increase their career ambitions and expectations
- Increase their information and knowledge about future pathways, including careers and education options
- Develop their professional network
Bristol Career Coach is a collaboration between the Cabot Learning Federation, Hope Virtual School and Bristol WORKS.
Since its launch in 2017 Career Coach has matched 44 coaches and young people across Bristol.
Would you like to volunteer?
If you would like to get involved, we would be delighted to hear from you.
We welcome applicants from any background and are particularly keen to hear from people in leaderships posts with their organisation, who have faced personal challenges and have overcome barriers.
A short telephone/Zoom interview and follow up meeting is required before the matching process and essential training which will guide you to the next steps.
For further information please email WORKS@Bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 92 23318.
Meet some of the year one volunteers
Lyndsay Davies – Creative Projects Manager at boomsatsuma
“It’s been a brilliant experience so far. Meeting my coachee has been a pleasure and it’s so reassuring to know that the city is trying to do its best for children in care. I would definitely recommend it!”
Dan White – Chief Executive Officer at Bristol City Robins Foundation
“I’ve really enjoyed having the opportunity to help shape a young person’s future by encouraging them to explore opportunities within both education and the working world.”
Connie Reeves – Marketing Communications Consultant
“As a care leaver myself it is so important for me to help raise the aspirations and ambitions of looked after children and give them advice and support. The Careers Coach Programme is a brilliant opportunity for young people in Bristol and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Sherrie Eugene-Hart – Broadcaster/Director E-Com Media
“Being a Career Coach has been an absolute pleasure and honour. I recognise the importance of education especially for children who face additional barriers in their lives. I’ve enjoyed talking about learning and grades as much as talking about fashion and art. I’ve noticed the confidence grow in my Coachee across the 5 years, Now at College, I look forward to seeing what happens next. Whatever the future holds, I feel we have made a friendship for life”
Donna Whitcliffe – Head of House – Discovery – Bristol Metropolitan Academy
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to commit to walk alongside a young person as they navigate the complexities of life and education. The benefits for coach and coachee cannot be underestimated. Hugely rewarding.”