News and Stories
The latest articles
Kelly
Kelly is one of MTL’s existing volunteers and has delivered a selection of modules of our ACE for Schools programme, to a number of different schools across London. This is her story… ‘For many years I had wanted to branch out into working with teens. I did a short...
Mo
Mo, 23, grew up in a central London estate as the youngest of four children – yet he often felt like the oldest because he took on a lot of responsibilities. Though he experienced some difficult circumstances growing up, he really enjoyed school and decided to go to...
Tessa
Tessa is one of the highly-trained and dedicated volunteers delivering our unique programme to schoolchildren. Her commitment to Making The Leap helps us to raise the aspirations of those from the toughest schools so that they can become all their talent and hard work...
Nkem
Even after graduating from university, Nkem was finding securing a good job difficult. A friend recommended Making The Leap to him, and soon he was enrolled in the ACE workshop. The lessons taught at Making The Leap including attitudes towards life, the importance of...
Sahyma
Sahyma is second-generation Bangladeshi and the oldest of four children. She grew up in a South London estate. Her parents always motivated her to do well at school and work hard to where she wanted to be. Whilst most girls at her school finished their GCSEs and...
Ailis
“Before I came to Making The Leap I was caring for my mother who had myalgic encephalomyelitis and my dad who had lung cancer. After my dad recovered, he decided to care for my mum. I had no routine – I would go to bed at 3 or 4 in the morning and wake up late the...
Lewis
Lewis grew up in a deprived area of South London and as a youngster, he did not enjoy school despite being bright and having great potential. As a result, he began socialising with the wrong crowd. Once Lewis left full time education, he felt frustrated by the lack of...
Fellows Board launched!
As an organisation that aims to create opportunities for young people, we wanted to involve our alumni in the running of Making The Leap. Our new Board of Fellows gives them the chance to do just that. It will provide its members with personal and professional...
Our event raises aspirations of hundreds of school pupils.
Making The Leap designs and delivers a successful event to raise the aspirations of hundreds of school pupils. Evidence suggests that the aspirations you form as a teenager can have significant impact on your educational attainment and future career. Young people are...
A big Thank You
Over the last year, we have seen the organisation grow and make an even bigger impact on schoolchildren and young adults across London. We couldn’t have achieved this alone. It is through the support of our volunteers, corporate partners, supporters, donors and...
My Social Mobility Story – Sir Anthony Seldon
Sir Anthony Seldon is a leading British schoolmaster and a contemporary historian, commentator and political author. He is Master of Wellington College, Britain’s top co-educational independent boarding school. He is author or editor of over 40 books on contemporary...
Chief Executive’s comments on charities
Making The Leap’s Chief Executive Tunde Banjoko OBE comments upon transparency and trust within the charity sector, in light of recent stories in the media. “The recent news about the management and fundraising practices of a few major charities has been received with...
Making The Leap’s 5th Annual Gala
Our 5th Annual Gala, which took place last Thursday, was a resounding success for the charity. We were thrilled to be joined by all our guests- who included the evening’s guest of honour, Douglas Flint CBE as well as Sir Tim Rice, Sir Steve Redgrave, Mark Blundell and...
My Social Mobility Story – Iqbal Wahhab
We’re delighted to bring you Part 3 in our blog series, ‘My Social Mobility Story’, which features restaurateur and businessman, Iqbal Wahhab OBE FRSA. Iqbal was born in Bangladesh and came to Britain at the age of eight months. He was educated in London and is a...
Professional Services Fellows get together
Some of the young people who attend Making The Leap's workshop go on to train in our Professional Services programme. We coach them through the intense application process for Higher Level Apprenticeships or Graduate Schemes at some of the country’s top firms, and...
Roel
Roel is 22 years old and was born and raised in London. Growing up, he felt he had a lot of potential but reflecting back he admits that he did not apply himself during his education as much as he could have. He always did just enough to pass and after graduating from...