Take the Lead

TAKE THE LEAD: SOUTHWARK

Objective:

Take the Lead is based on two very simple beliefs. First, that community change is best affected from within the community. Second, that every person has something she needs and something she can give. In marrying these two principles, Take the Lead helps secondary school children who are passionate about a particular issue in their community to develop and work through an action plan with the help of a mentor and the support of peers. By doing so the program not only seeks to help communities to transform themselves, but also equips young people (and mentors!) with essential entrepreneurial and leadership skills and the confidence to continue to engage in positive ways.

Action Projects:

There is no action project too small or too big. While we expect that there will be a wide variety of plans, the essential quality of any project is that it in some way raises awareness, builds community, or addresses some need in the larger community. Action projects are the brain children of the students. While mentors are there to guide and to offer feedback, encouragement, and support, it is important that students remain in control of their individual projects.

Methods:

Each student is paired with a mentor from the community. At the beginning of the Take the Lead season, all mentors and students come together for a series of intensive training workshops. These cover the basics of developing a strategic development plan, publicity, fundraising, mobilizing support, community organizing, and time management. After this initial training, mentors and students remain in weekly contact via meetings, emails, texts, or calls. Once a month all mentors and students come together for a brief “fish bowl” meeting, during which they can discuss challenges and successes as a larger group.

Publicity will be available shortly, but for further enquiries contact us at the office or email natalie.g.araujo@gmail.com