YWCA young leaders with Sarah-Jane Blake

Tuesday 6 July 2010

YWCA young leaders with Sarah-Jane Blake

Daughter of leadership legend Sir Peter Blake, spoke to a large group of young women at Wellington East Girls College (WEGC) last week for New Zealand Leadership Week.

Sarah-Jane was assisting to recruit WEGC students for the YWCA’s Discover™ mentoring and leadership programme designed for young women to realise their potential.

The Discover™ programme aims to develop participant’s leadership style, and to provide opportunities to put it into practice challenges involving social and community responsibility.  The programme works with young women in Years 12-13 over 18 months, during which students become involved with one-on-one mentoring by volunteer women.  Mentors support and encourage students to embrace new projects, work within the community and achieve their goals.

“Sir Peter Blake was a legend in our country. For Sarah-Jane to share the story of her father and talk about motivation and goal setting, we showcased some key elements of leadership – which the Discover™ programme focuses on.” says Makere Derbyshire, Executive Director for YWCA of Greater Wellington region.

Wellington East Girl’s College students on the Discover™ programme will be working soon to create an advocacy or fundraising project to benefit our community and make a difference to people’s lives.

YWCA Discover™ Programme Leader Lili Schimdt-Uili will be working with the students on their community projects. “Participants of the programme heard from volunteers about causes and their passion for their community.  The YWCA is here to empower our young women help to create a safe and secure community – this project is a great chance to practise the public speaking, networking and team building skills they have gained in the programme.”

Sarah-Jane Blake spoke of her father, Sir Peter who has inspired many, none more so than herself, who is now supporting his leadership legacy through the Sir Peter Blake Trust and NZ Leadership Week. 

Derbyshire says,“Inspirational role models like Sarah-Jane are the types of role models young women really desire today.  Real people with real stories sing true.  Inspirational to take on a challenge, even just enough to put your hand up to apply for a programme like Discover™, can be hard to find.  We hope some of Sarah-Jane’s words gave passion and energy for more students to take on the new challenges.”

ends

© Scoop Media