The MP for Copeland has today joined over 100 MP’s and Peer’s across the UK to support The APPG for Mentoring and The Diana Award’s ‘One Hour, One Young Person, One Parliamentarian’ mentoring campaign’.
The campaign which marks National Mentoring Day 2020, aims to highlight that just one hour can generate new thoughts, challenge ideas and inspire change.
In support of the initiative, Trudy took part in a virtual one-hour mentoring session with North-West based politics and communications student, Emily Tidey who requested support and guidance through The Diana Award.
The Diana Award is the Secretariat for The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Mentoring and believes that mentoring is fundamental to breaking down the barriers of social mobility in the lives of vulnerable young people.
Emily said: “The opportunity to receive mentoring from an MP for National Mentoring Day is incredible. It can be so difficult to get first-hand experience and insight into politics now, so I’m incredibly grateful to Trudy for offering her time. I really enjoyed learning more about Trudy’s work and what it’s like working in politics in general.”
National Mentoring Day was launched to recognise and celebrate the benefits of mentoring and takes place on October 27th each year.
The day was created by Chelsey Baker, an award-winning business mentor to help encourage and celebrate mentoring in all its forms.
Trudy, said: “I wholeheartedly commend this campaign at a time when young people are urgently seeking navigation; often, some simple guidance and support can be all that’s needed to help effect a positive change in someone.
“Speaking with Emily today to learn more about her dreams and aspirations for the future was a pleasure and I hope I was able to offer her some helpful guidance and advice to aid her on her way to achieving her exciting goals.”
National Mentoring Day (27 October 2020) will be marked by a celebration event bringing together professionals across sectors, including people from the entertainment industry such as Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City and Strictly star) to understand how to best support young people with practical mentoring solutions.
Tessy Ojo CBE, CEO of The Diana Award says: “We are delighted with the overwhelming response from MP’s to support youth mentoring. We know that mentoring can be life-changing for a young person and enhances their future prospects. For a young person without a positive role model in their life, a mentor can be the voice that says ‘you can do it and this is how’ – words they may have never heard before.”