Jaffar

Through the Envision programme, Jaffar rethought what creativity means, built stronger relationships with his peers, and helped lead a finance-awareness podcast aimed at supporting other young people. The programme gave him space to reflect, try new things, and grow in confidence. 

What skill did you have to use most during the Envision Programme? 

Creativity, definitely. That was my biggest weakness going in; I used to think I just didn’t have any new ideas. I always branched off other people, and I thought that meant I wasn’t creative enough. But during the programme, I realised that creativity isn’t always about having the first idea. It’s about listening to others, combining ideas, and building something new from it. Especially in a group setting, you need to speak to others, collect their ideas, and then shape your own perspective. I was able to do that well. I just needed to see that that was creativity, too. 

What was it like working with the mentors, and what did you take away from the experience?

I thought it was going to be really formal — like we’d sit in an office and just listen to them talk. But it was way more interactive than I expected, and I’m really thankful for that. We got to speak with all the mentors, not just one, and every single one gave us expert advice. It wasn’t just about careers — they gave tips for presenting, working in teams, and staying calm under pressure. One thing that stuck with me was how honest they were. Some of them said that even they still get nervous when they have to present. That made me feel more confident, like I wasn’t alone.  

How do you think the Envision Programme changed you?

Before Envision, I didn’t really speak to people outside of my own group. I wasn’t antisocial, but I liked to stick with people I already knew, and it felt strange at first working with people who were basically strangers. But through the project, that changed. I started talking to everyone — even people I wouldn’t normally cross paths with — and now I feel more comfortable at school, like I’m actually part of the wider community. Being able to connect with more people made school feel more open, more friendly. I feel more confident in myself, more sociable — especially more sociable. This group is only a small part of our year, but it changed the way I see the whole year. I’ll remember that.