All the tools you need
Gratitude
This month’s newsletter is one of gratitude for the organisations, trusts, foundations and individuals that fund us. The impact we make on people’s lives wouldn’t happen without these donations and we can’t quite put into words a big enough sense of gratitude to those who give money to enable this work to happen so that young people can work past their limitations and go on to thrive. Since our last newsletter we’ve received funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Edna Brown Charitable Settlement, and the Pears Foundation, from the wonderful Nardello & Co. who devised a brilliant fundraising idea (see below) and are shortly due to receive funds from Amira Mansour’s sponsored run. And there are many others who support us throughout the year. So this newsletter is dedicated to our funders, and – fittingly – is also filled with stories of impact from our participants which they helped make possible.
Quizzing for Grit
What better way to mark St Patrick’s day than take part in a pub quiz AND raise money for Grit at the same time?
That’s what teams from international law firms from Mishcon de Reya, Withers, Fieldfisher, Payne Hicks Beach, CMS UK, Signature Litigation, BCL Solicitors and Nardello & Co. chose to do. Our very own Grit graduate and Trustee Annete Kalombodza inspired the teams with her Grit story - from being homeless, feeling lost and lonely as a student to now being at the point of qualifying as a lawyer.
It was a hugely enjoyable and enthusiastically competitive evening (not least because the team Grit joined came in second), oiled by the occasional sip of some first class Guinness. Money was raised and, to top it all, we learnt that St Patrick is also the Patron Saint of Nigeria…
Pictured here is Grit’s very own Jon Down with the victorious team from Fieldfisher clutching the winning trophy.
Thanks to the fine people at Nardello & Co. who made it all possible.
Make your donation via Grit's fundraising page.
Direct from the course room
Programme Manager Cathy Talbot reports from a Grit workshop at Southampton Solent University.
“Do I have leadership qualities?”
This was one of many questions students had as they began their two-day Empowering Leadership workshop. They had already taken the first step in leadership simply by showing up: ready to listen openly, explore new perspectives, and reflect on themselves.
It was inspiring to watch their confidence grow as they stood to speak in front of others. They discovered leadership isn’t always about having the right answers; often it’s about asking better questions. Through discussion and reflection, they realised empowerment comes from trust, curiosity, and the courage to involve others while allowing people to discover themselves.
By the end, the room felt different. Voices were stronger, ideas were shared more freely, and those who arrived uncertain left recognising their own leadership attributes.
Leadership begins when you choose to step forward, listen deeply, and help others find their voice.
Pictured, Grit trainer Paula, in action at Southampton Solent University.
Journeys of self-discovery
"An incredible journey of self-discovery. Grit brought to me a renewed sense of self purpose, practical tools an energised mind set and a sense of empowerment.”
We regularly go back to participants up to a year after they have completed a Grit programme to find out how they’ve been getting on. This is what we found from our latest survey with staff teams.
➡️ Grit continues to have a direct impact on the interactions professionals have with young people – 85% have effective coaching conversations
➡️ 94% of staff continue to be impacted by Grit
➡️ 100% of our university staff continue to report improved confidence in their role as a professional
➡️ 80% of local authority staff continue to report improved confidence in their ability to make a difference with young people from a broad range of backgrounds and cultures
And, when we asked staff what three words they would use to describe their Grit experience, this is what they told us:
Read more about our work with staff teams
“You have all the tools you need to discover who you are and to feel like you belong, and this is what Grit reminds you of.”
Great to see the University of Nottingham publishing the stories of just some of the students who have taken part a Grit Black Leaders programme.
Read Harry’s description of finding both a community and a sense of validation; Teni on the way the programme empowered her to embrace her potential; and Luanne sharing how Grit supported her on a journey of self-discovery.
If you’ve got a Grit story you’d like to tell, get in touch via jon@grit.org.uk.