City Mentoring Scheme Offers Fresh Start for Care-Experienced Young Londoners

Businesses across the Square Mile are being encouraged to join the Step Up Mentoring – A Square Mile Futures Programme, a new initiative launched by the City of London Corporation to transform prospects for care-experienced young people.

The City of London mentoring scheme aims to match 150 young Londoners aged 16 to 30 with trained mentors over the next three years, helping them build the confidence, skills, and networks they need to thrive.

Funded with £300,000 and delivered by OMG Education, the programme responds to research by the City Corporation’s Education Strategy Unit identifying a shortage of mentoring opportunities for those who have grown up in care. It combines online sessions with in-person meetings in the Square Mile, allowing participants to experience City life first-hand.

“Every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential, no matter their background,” said Naresh Sonpar, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Education Board.
“This programme will give those who face the toughest challenges the guidance, skills and confidence they need to succeed – and to see that the City is a place of opportunity for them too.”

Participants will work with mentors who provide practical guidance, career insights and personal encouragement. The aim is to help them overcome barriers to employment and independent living through resilience, teamwork, and trust.

Crucially, the programme was shaped with input from those with direct experience of the care system. They called for mentors who are both empathetic and challenging — people who can understand their circumstances while encouraging ambition.

Jamal Miah, CEO and Founder of OMG Education, said:
“For care-experienced individuals, having someone they can trust who believes in them and helps open doors is life-changing. This isn’t just about jobs – it’s about showing them they belong in the City and can build fulfilling futures.”

The Step Up Mentoring programme also aims to tackle inequality by supporting the City Corporation’s broader goal of improving social mobility. The impact of the scheme will be independently evaluated to ensure it delivers lasting change.

Businesses interested in joining the initiative can find details and register at www.omg.training/step-up-mentoring.

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