Mullany Fund Helps Young People to Climb the Ladder of Opportunity

Three Cwrt Sart Comprehensive pupils are being given a unique opportunity to help them in their aspirations to become the doctors and physiotherapists of the future.

14th November 2011 The Mullany Fund

The Mullany Fund E-mentoring Project creates a link between young people who are interested in a career in medicine, with young professionals who can encourage and support them to succeed in their chosen field.

Year 11 pupils, Carwyn Harris, Charlotte James and Rhiannon Ireland all have mentors who they speak to via email, in a safe, secure and supported environment.

They are able to ask questions and raise concerns with medical professionals, who have a unique insight that they would otherwise not have access to.

Cwrt Sart Head Teacher Alan Rowlands said “The mentors have ‘been there – done that’ so they know exactly how the pupils feel. They can help them stay on track when things get hard, and steer them in the right direction when they’re faced with crucial decisions.”

“Pupils can access mentor support at a time convenient to them, and their mentors. As they don’t meet formally it is easier and quicker to interact, and more environmentally friendly!”

The Mullany Fund e-mentoring project was launched in schools throughout Neath Port Talbot in September, in partnership with Careers Wales.

Five other local schools are also taking part in the project, with other schools on board ready to start in January.

Ray Collier, Chief Executive of Careers Wales West said “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the Mullany Fund on the e-mentoring project.”

“Our Careers Advisers are able to provide a wealth of knowledge about qualifications and career routes to young people, and the e-mentoring project is an invaluable addition giving an insight that only professionals in the field have.”

A spokesperson for the Mullany Fund said “We are delighted to be able to reinvest back in to the local community where a lot the money raised over the last three years has came from.”

“What happens in the future depends on what we do today.

The young people of Neath Port Talbot have a huge amount of potential and talent, and the aim of the project is to support pupils to lead productive and fulfilling lives.”

“There are no time constraints on these partnerships. Pupils have the support until they reach their goals, and beyond. We are hoping that pupils of today become the mentors of tomorrow.”

• For further information on becoming involved in the e-mentoring project contact the Mullany Fund at info@themullanyfund.org

• The Mullany Fund Ementoring Project was launched at the start of the 2011-2012 academic year. Phase one of the project has resulted in 23 local schoolchildren gaining an e-mentor who is a successful healthcare professional such as a doctor, a surgeon, a physiotherapist or allied profession working in the UK.

• The charity will be inducting a second batch of schools into the scheme in the New Year and are currently inviting schools to apply.

• For more information on Careers Wales, please visit www.careerswales.com

For all media enquiries related to this press release please contact Cath Harris, MGB PR on 01792 460200 or Cath@mgbpr.com