Expert mentors from Hackney-based social enterprise The Mentoring Lab are working with Hackney Council to give young people living in Council homes in the borough the chance to kickstart their careers, succeed in education or progress in their personal lives through a free 12-week course of dedicated one-to-one guidance.

The Career Accelerator programme, aimed at those aged 17 and over, will help people develop the skills and motivation they need to get a career that lasts through weekly mentoring sessions, personalised career mapping and links to industry professionals. The course will range from support with deciding the right career path and the steps needed to get there to practical help with writing CVs and cover letters.

The sessions will run every Thursday in March, April and May between 12-3pm at Pitcairn Hall.

A separate programme aimed at 10-18 years olds will offer personalised guidance to help young people succeed, whether in education, work or their personal lives. The mentoring toolkit aims to provide a non-judgemental space to help improve confidence, self-awareness, study skills, focus and resilience, while looking at career options, studies and relationships.

These sessions will run every Monday in March, April and May between 3.30-7.30pm at Homerton Library every Tuesday in March, April and May at Nisbet Community Hall and every Wednesday in March, April and May at Jack Dunning Community Hall.

Both programmes are open to all young Hackney Council residents. To register contact The Mentoring Lab on 020 8158 8500.

The Mentoring Lab is a community interest company aiming to equip and enable young people to overcome barriers to progression and access opportunities through providing safe spaces to reflect while they develop the skills and qualities to succeed.