About HSMP

Established in 1996 by the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) and Hackney Learning Partnerships, the Hackney Schools' Mentoring Programme (HSMP) is the largest mentoring scheme operating in the Borough of Hackney. Each year students from the borough are matched to volunteer business mentors in both 1:1 and group relationships.

The programme links 14 and 15-year-old Year 10 school pupils in Hackney with working adults. The main objectives are to increase their self-confidence, gain experience of the working world, improve their academic performance and raise aspirations.

The individual attention shown to students by their mentors confirms that their ideas are important and helps them to identify the skills and abilities that can lead to success later in life.

Studies have shown that GCSE results improve through students' participation in mentoring schemes. Simply by having exposure to different types of work and setting sights on a career goal helps to raise students' motivation and achievement.

For more information on ELBA visit www.elba-1.org.uk

How does it work?

The scheme is open to all Year 10 pupils in Hackney and is entirely voluntary.
Students travel after school to meet their mentors.
Each mentor is asked to commit one academic year to the programme (September to July).
Mentoring sessions take place, ideally, once per fortnight, at the mentors place of work and last for between 1 and 1-½ hours.
Mentors will receive initial training, followed by regular support sessions, advice and feedback.