MyBigCareer was launched because of our concern about a lack of independent careers advice for young people – a key factor in boosting social mobility.
In recent times, various schemes have emerged, including centrally-funded Aim Higher projects and the EMA, which was aimed at post-16 retention. Funding for these programmes is no longer available.
Deborah Streatfield, founder of MyBigCareer, is a careers consultant, who has provided personalised support and advice to students for more than 30 years. She currently works with a diverse range of clients including families of students seeking specialist advice on a retained basis as well as homeless people looking for a path to a fairly paid job, an education and a career. Deborah provides guidance across GCSE and A-level choices, university admission applications, and vocational courses leading to trade and professional occupations.
Funding for the charity comes from philanthropic organisations sharing goals in common with our mission and the corporate sector. Donations are most welcome.
The charity’s patron, Sir Vince Cable, is working hard to secure further funding.
Deborah Streatfield
Vince Pizzoni
Janine Chandler
Marie Laure Humbert
Kuldeep Kaur
Anupam Cherubal
Simon Dexter
Dave Parsons
Hayley Equi
Julian Holmes Taylor
Emma Collingwood
We would also like to thank the following for their continued support and endorsement of MyBigCareer:
Carole Stone, CBE
I am delighted to be a ‘supporter’ of MyBigCareer.
MyBigCareer was founded under Deborah Streatfield’s leadership in 2013. The charity has the hugely important, indeed essential, aim to break down the barriers to social mobility by helping underprivileged young people realise their potential through the delivery of one-to-one careers guidance. Raising young people’s aspirations and supporting students as they progress onto further education, including university, or the workplace is invaluable. The work is totally voluntary and there is no charge to schools.
MyBigCareer needs careers advisers to help disadvantaged young people to find the right progression route.
And it needs people from business who will take the time to share their experience and expertise in the workplace to advise these young people on the area of work in which they are interested. It needs people who will listen and act and who care.
I have observed what Deborah Streatfield is achieving through the charity since it started and have been heartened by the work it does and the help it gives young people at such a crucial time in their life. I will do my best to raise awareness of this immensely worthwhile work. MyBigCareeer deserves to grow for both the sake of the young people who need help and for the good of society.
The Rt Hon the Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke, PC LLD
I am a bus driver’s daughter from a working class community in the West of Scotland. An inspiring education in a State school with teachers who had a true vocation, and a Head Teacher who would not settle for second best , unleashed a world of opportunity that took me to University, Parliament, the Cabinet and The Privy Council as well as the Diplomatic Service. I am not alone: my classmates went on to become Cabinet ministers and High Court judges, surgeons and engineers, all from homes where we were the first in our families to go to University.
When you are given chances like that, when you see how a really good education can unleash unlimited opportunity, you have a duty to do what you can to ensure others get the same opportunities.
That is why I support MyBigCareer.
Richard Curry, Headteacher
Having been in education my whole life, I am in the privileged position of seeing what can happen when each and every child is given a chance, when aspirations are high for all – no matter what their background is. Nobody’s life chances should be affected by where they are born, where they went to school or whether the family income hits a specific figure or not. Since meeting Deborah Streatfield last year, I have been totally inspired by her dedication, drive and desire to break down barriers to social mobility, which should set out a blueprint for all of us to follow.
Deborah’s work with ‘MyBigCareer’ has been instrumental in achieving this through the provision of bespoke one-to-one career guidance to a wide range of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Providing this guidance, at such a formative and key time in these young people’s lives, has helped to steer them to a brighter future. It has helped to provide equity – so that any one person from any one background is given the tools to succeed – no matter what their individual circumstances.
All you need to do is have a look at either the charity’s website or social media accounts to truly witness the wide scope of work that they do and the huge impact that this has on the lives of the young people they serve. From providing career guidance, to supporting students’ mental health, to working alongside other charities to provide a more positive outlook, ‘MyBigCareer’ is something I feel very privileged and lucky to be a part of.
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Registered Charity Number: 1153880
Company Number: 8559346
Registered Address: 7, Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
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