Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Marks Fourth Year of Mentorship with Dare to Dream
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly celebrates its fourth consecutive year of collaboration with the Dare to Dream initiative, a mentoring scheme organized by the Love Local Jobs Foundation. This charity-driven program partners with schools and leading employers in West Sussex to empower Year 9 students by providing them with valuable mentorship and support.
Throughout the current school year, 15 dedicated members of the Rolls-Royce team have mentored students from Chichester Free School, Bourne Community College, and Ormiston Six Villages Academy. These volunteers have guided the pupils through various personal and academic challenges, helping them shape their future paths.
For the first time, Rolls-Royce apprentices joined the program, offering their insights and experiences to the young mentees. This addition proved to be particularly impactful, as the apprentices, closer in age to the students, could relate more directly to their experiences and concerns. The apprentices’ involvement fostered meaningful dialogues and provided guidance that resonated strongly with the participants.
Participants in the Dare to Dream program were invited to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, where they experienced the workplace environment firsthand. They joined apprentices in a variety of workshops and gained inspiration from the diverse opportunities available within the company. These interactions encouraged the students to think beyond their immediate surroundings and consider broader career aspirations.
Samantha Savage, Year 9 Leader at Bourne Community College, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are so very grateful to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for the amazing opportunity for our students. The time spent at the Home of Rolls-Royce and the mentorship support at our school have been exceptional. The students returned buzzing with excitement, inspired by potential career pathways. This is wholly due to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this project. Students’ hopes and aspirations for the future have already risen, and we look forward to watching them grow even more.”
Maddison Headland, a Rolls-Royce apprentice and Dare to Dream mentor, shared her thoughts on the experience, stating, “I chose to become a Dare to Dream mentor because I believe it is important for young people to understand what they are capable of achieving. The program shows them that despite any setbacks they face, they can push through and succeed.”
Lydia Woodroff, HR Sustainability Business Partner at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and project coordinator, remarked, “We were thrilled to maintain our support of the Dare to Dream program this year and witness its continued positive impact. The mentees had the chance to meet some of our apprentices, observe our vehicle manufacturing process, and experience a ‘customer reveal’ event, culminating in being photographed in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. We’re grateful for this opportunity to showcase the diverse range of skills within our organization and the variety of roles we offer.”
The Dare to Dream program continues to be a mutually rewarding experience for both the young participants and the Rolls-Royce team, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of the next generation.
