Routes
Co-Founder, 2018-2023
"This programme really helped me to push myself and my confidence is higher than it ever has been!
In our final session, [me and my mentor] spoke about what our journey has meant to each other. We both said – wholeheartedly – “she makes me feel like I can be me!” We allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and that has helped us both to grow as individuals and to become more confident.”
-Nikki, Routes Mentee 2022
I co-founded Routes in January 2018 in direct response to the UK’s hostile asylum system, and the lack of sustainable, intentional initiatives supporting women seeking safety into education and employment.
Between 2018-2023, I led the design, sales, delivery and evaluation of all our programmes and events, including mentoring programmes, creative workshops, conferences, lunch & learn events, and leadership training, generating over £150k income by selling to 70+ organisations across sectors.
Our flagship mentoring programme was designed to support women from refugee backgrounds to grow towards their professional goals, whilst supporting professional women working across sectors to develop a more inclusive, supportive and intentional leadership skillset, through the experience of mentoring another woman. We supported 350+ women through this programme, with mentees going on to secure employment and higher education opportunities, building skills and networks, and growing in confidence.
Our work has been supported by organisations including Ben & Jerry’s, NHS England, Investec Bank, Amnesty International, British Library and more.
I still sit on the board of Routes, alongside 5 formidable women. You can find out more about the team, board and Routes’ work here.