VMS Ltd has joined forces with Bedford Giving and 4YP UK to mentor and inspire students, particularly those with dyslexia, helping them to build confidence and explore future career aspirations.
The collaboration reflects VMS’s long-standing commitment to training and development through its dedicated training arm, VMT Ltd. Many of the company’s senior team members started with no formal qualifications and now lead crews or manage projects across the UK.
Heading up VMS’ involvement is Kev Garfield, head of business support. As part of the initiative, he has completed Career Mentoring Training and will focus on supporting students with dyslexia, drawing on his own experiences to inspire and guide them.
Of the collaboration, Kev said: “I’m really honoured to be invited to be part of the Bedford Giving Career Mentoring Programme and engage with students.
“I’m fortunate to work for a company that offers assistance to individuals with additional needs. As someone who has dyslexia, I have faced challenges with reading and writing throughout my life. That’s why I am eager to work with various schools and provide support to students with dyslexia.
“The situation now is quite different from when I was in school. I would have greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet someone with dyslexia during my education, as it would have helped me understand how to navigate a work environment while managing my dyslexia. This experience could have given me better insight into my future at a time when I was considering career options.
“My first session was very engaging and I observed a sense of confidence developing in the student as they witnessed an adult in a senior position facing challenges with dyslexia.”
Speaking of the support provided by Kev, Paul Kellett director of Bedford Giving said: “We couldn’t be more excited to have Kev on board. He’s travelling all the way from Leicester to support young people in Bedford – that’s real commitment to making a difference!
“He’s also keen to get involved in our Taste of the Workplace initiative, helping young people experience real-world work environments and build confidence for their future careers.
“We know Kev is going to be a fantastic mentor, and we’re so grateful for his passion and dedication.”
Bedford Giving is a community-powered movement with a shared goal of empowering Bedford’s children and young people to thrive. It has teamed up with 4YP to deliver the Career Mentoring Programme in secondary schools in Bedford Borough. To find out more about Bedford Giving visit www.bedfordgiving.org.uk
4YP provides a range of professional services for young people through schools and communities, supporting successful transitions into adulthood including career guidance, mentoring and youth work. To learn more, visit www.4ypuk.com