Empowering local students to Dare to Dream

Carpenter Box recently partnered with Durrington High School to bring forth an empowering employability programme called Dare to Dream.

Dare to Dream, created by the Love Local Jobs Foundation and delivered in Worthing in partnership with Adur and Worthing Councils, aims to prepare pupils in the local community for the world of work by giving them the confidence they need to fulfil their potential.

Over a series of workshops and inspirational assemblies for more than 300 Year 10 pupils, staff from Carpenter Box provided mentoring on skills such as self-awareness, mindset, gratitude, resilience, teamwork and employability.

Employability workshops

Understanding the crucial shift from education to employment, Carpenter Box’s committed mentors offered practical advice to students. Through mentoring sessions, they supported the students’ personal and professional growth.

Hayden Winters and Sharna Challenger, both mentors from Carpenter Box, commented on the programme:

“Being able to give back to the kids at Durrington High School by providing some wisdom and advice has been such a fantastic experience.”

“I enjoyed participating in Dare to Dream because it felt good being able to help others using my own experiences and seeing their confidence about their own abilities and their potential growth throughout the programme.”

Inspiration from industry experts

Adding an extra layer of motivation and inspiration to the workshops, the students had the privilege of hearing from renowned speaker Jack Hayes, a familiar voice from Heart FM and More Radio. Jack shared his personal experiences and stories, offering valuable insights into overcoming challenges and pursuing dreams.

Mentor Angela Norris, Senior Manager at Carpenter Box, highlighted the impact of Jack’s assemblies, saying: “Jack’s message was people employ people, and I think the most important thing to remember is just being a good person and being kind is what’s most important.”

Preparing students for success

Through the series of workshops and inspirational assemblies, the mentors from Carpenter Box not only shared their expertise in accounting and finance but also instilled essential employability skills to the year 10 pupils who took part. 

Carpenter Box aims to create positive change and help build a promising career future for these students. Chloe Day, Audit Manager, summarises the experience: “It was truly inspiring to see these young minds grow and develop throughout the programme. Their enthusiasm and dedication were contagious, and I’m proud to have been part of their journey towards success.”

As Carpenter Box marks its centenary, it’s dedication to community support is evident in initiatives like the Dare to Dream programme.

Robin Evans, Partner at Carpenter Box, said: “We’re passionate about helping our local community in any way that we can. Leaving education to step into the working world can be daunting. Our team of nearly 200 comes from all walks of life. So, if there’s a chance that we can have a positive impact by sharing some of our learnings along the way, we’re more than happy to help.”

We wish all the best to the year 10 pupils at Durrington High School. Good luck in all your future endeavours!

Careers at Carpenter Box

Award winning Carpenter Box has earned ‘Approved Employer’ and ‘Platinum Status’, the highest levels of accreditation by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It’s awarded to organisations who provide superior support for the continual professional development of staff through progress monitoring, evaluation and staff development. We are also an authorised Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ACA) training firm.

Whether you are starting your career in accountancy or you are looking for the next step in your career, talk to us about the opportunities that we can offer you. 

Visit carpenterbox.com/careers to find out more.