FAQs
Take a look at the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch via our Contact page.
The Envision Programme is an inter-school competition, where young people design, develop, and deliver a youth-led project that tackles a social issue affecting their community.
We partner young people from less-advantaged backgrounds with trained Envision Programme Coordinators and mentors from local businesses. By engaging young people in what matters to them, we support them to make change happen whilst building their skills beyond the classroom.
Click here for more information about how our programmes work.
We support KS4 and KS5 students who are underrepresented in the world of work and would benefit most from opportunities to develop their essential skills and confidence.
At KS4, we require that at least 70% of young people registered on the programme are eligible for pupil premium or free school meals.
At KS5, we require that at least 60% of young people registered on the programme are eligible for 16-19 Bursary.
We work with teachers to ensure the remaining pupils are selected based on the following criteria:
- Mild/Moderate Special Education Needs or Disabilities
- English as an Additional Language
- Low self-confidence or self-esteem
- No parental history of Higher Education
Our KS4 programme runs as two separate 12-week cohorts: Our Autumn programme runs from October – January; Our Spring programme runs from February – May.
Our KS5 programme year is 24 weeks, running from October – May.
Sessions run during or shortly after the school day, each lasting between 1 to 2 hours. These sessions are delivered weekly during term time, there are no sessions during the school holidays.
At KS4, we ask schools to register a maximum of 13 young people per cohort onto the programme from either Year 9 or 10.
At KS5, we ask schools to register a maximum of 24 young people onto the programme.
We work with small groups of young people in order to have as much impact on their skills development as possible.
A Programme Coordinator is a trained member of Envision staff, working directly with schools, young people, and local businesses to make an impact.
Each week, they facilitate a weekly session with each of their teams of young people in school, alongside facilitating mentoring sessions with partners at key points throughout the programme.
Sessions are delivered in person, with our Programme Coordinators travelling to the five schools or colleges they are working with. All Envision sessions, cross-school events and mentoring sessions can also be hosted in-person or online dependant on the government Covid-19 guidelines.
Our Programme Coordinators manage all aspects of programme management and delivery of the Envision programme in five schools or colleges within their region, per cohort.
We work in three regions across England: Birmingham, Bristol and London.
Across the three regions we operate in, we currently run 14 KS4 programmes and 3 KS5 programmes each academic year.
We want to make sure we are reaching the young people who will benefit the most from our programme.
We work with schools and colleges that fit the following criteria:
- Non-selective state schools or sixth forms/FE colleges
- FSM/bursary levels above average within the region OR equal to and above national average
- Ofsted ‘Requires Improvement’ or ‘Good’
The school contribution is £1,000 per year –that’s under £42 per pupil! The remaining programme cost is subsidised through contributions from our corporate partners and external grants from trusts and individual donors.
Through a contribution of £3-4k, we offer our corporate partners 1 cohort of volunteering, networking opportunities, invites to cross-school events and regional celebrations, and mentions in our Regional Impact reports.
We ask for teams of between 6-8 employees at your company to support young people as a mentor.
Alongside trained Envision staff and a group of other mentors from your organisation, you will meet with your team at key points in the programme and work collaboratively to support them in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.
We provide intensive pre-programme training and guide you through your mentoring sessions where you’ll empower young people to develop their confidence and essential skills.
By engaging young people in what matters to them, our mentors support them to make change happen whilst building their skills beyond the classroom, so they can succeed in whatever path they choose to take after school.
You do not need experience of coaching or mentoring young people. All sessions will be facilitated by Envision staff and you will be guided through each step of the process. You’ll receive comprehensive training at the beginning of the programme, where you will get to grips with your role, meet other mentors, and practice some tried and tested mentoring techniques.
At KS4, we run two cohorts per year, from October to January and February to May. For each cohort, you will complete around 8 hours of mentoring across three sessions and one cross-school final event.
At KS5, you will complete around 10 hours of mentoring across three sessions and two cross-school events.
Mentoring sessions will be held in your office, and the cross-school events will be held in a local venue.
We rely on your generosity to keep doing what we do best – empowering young change makers to shape their futures.
Your donation will support Envision to improve and grow our KS4 and KS5 programmes across the UK, empowering even more young people to develop the skills needed to succeed in work and life.
If you would like to donate to Envision you can do so here:
We often have volunteer opportunities throughout the year!
We are always looking for ambitious, enthusiastic and reflective volunteers to help support our KS5 programmes and inspire 16-19 year olds in schools and colleges across Birmingham, Bristol and London.
Click here to find out more about joining us as an Assistant Coach.
You can also get involved as a volunteer mentor through your business! Our programme relies on volunteer mentors from our corporate partners to support our young people to develop their social action projects and build their essential skills, whilst providing opportunities to engage with adults in their workplace.
Click here to find out how to get your business involved.
If you are interested in becoming an Envisionary, joining one of our events or exploring other ways to support Envision, please contact our Philanthropy and Trusts Manager, Ella Howard via ella.howard@envision.org.uk.
Thank you for your support.
