Five years ago I was mentored as part of The Girls’ Network programme and I am still truly inspired by the idea of an organisation that instils girls with more confidence and provides resources to get to the place they want in life

I knew it was essential but I didn’t understand to what extent until more recent months, after the Black Lives Matter movement gained more prominence and since the pandemic has shown up stark inequalities. I didn’t understand how rigid societal ideas could be set in the minds of a lot of people, and that we need to keep helping those who aren’t at such an advantage in this world. I know that the work the organisation does helps so many in the UK.

The Girls’ Network's primary focus is to give young girls in the UK any support they need to get closer to their ambitions. That support can be given through developing key skills, confidence, and even opening the doors to a vast number of opportunities that we may otherwise struggle to get. What is clear to see is all the hard work the team put in; they truly have the girls’ best interests at heart. 

In the four years since I finished the programme, I’ve seen the large impact and progress they have made over time, and learnt about their founders, Becca Dean and Charly Young. What intrigued me was that they had been inspired to start up an organisation after noticing as teachers the various barriers for girls in school. They have that understanding of what we face, not only just as girls but as young girls where a lack of belief in ourself and our abilities can severely impact our progress later in life. That understanding and willingness to improve makes for a strong foundation as an organisation.

We learnt about how this organisation wanted to make sure that our potential was not limited by our doubts, ethnicity, or financial status.

I first heard about The Girls’ Network in Year 9. One of the teachers had informed a selection of us about who The Girls’ Network were and what they did. We learnt about how this organisation wanted to make sure that our potential was not limited by our doubts, ethnicity, or financial status. Although I was at a girls’ school at the time, I knew that I was at a further disadvantage to most of the other girls there in terms of previous factors mentioned, so when I heard that I would have this support that I needed but didn’t know how to get, I felt very relieved and grateful.  

I remember the excitement and anticipation I felt when we were matched with our mentor. There was a matching session where we had a few minutes to talk one-to-one with each woman who had kindly given their time. It was very interesting to meet a variety of different personalities and what was even more reassuring was that you could see that each mentor genuinely enjoyed being there, and deeply believed in the cause of this organisation.

She never shut down any ideas I had or told me that a certain goal was out of my reach, which helped develop my self-confidence.

My mentor was a lovely woman called Maggie who worked in business development. Earlier on, both the mentors and the mentees had filled out a questionnaire so that we could be matched with someone of similar interests in terms of hobbies, or career-wise. When my mentor and I had our first conversation, any nerves I had quickly disappeared as the conversation flowed quite naturally. What put me at ease was how warm she was, encouraging of what I had to say, and more than willing to listen. She never shut down any ideas I had or told me that a certain goal was out of my reach, which helped develop my self-confidence.

Mentoring has definitely taught me how to maintain that belief in myself. Just because I’m a girl, it doesn’t mean I am any less capable.

Dilara took part in our International Women's Day 2020 campaign by recording this video answering the questions: what do you want for your future and the future of the world?

You feel like you have a world of possibilities ahead. 

To a girl unsure of becoming a mentee, I recommend visiting The Girls’ Network’s website to hear about the experiences of previous mentees. That’s how I realised that I wasn’t alone in how I felt, in fact I found out that only 16% of girls of my age group (surveyed by Girlguiding in 2018) felt quite happy in their situation. I believe you should seize this opportunity because you deserve to be heard and to have a chance at reaching your goals. Plus, you definitely feel that sense of achievement during the graduation ceremony - it doesn’t feel like the end, you feel like you have a world of possibilities ahead. 

When I got back in touch with the organisation recently, they were welcoming and willing to help. They connected me with a lawyer and a judge to help me pursue my interest in a legal career, in the absence of work experience given the current circumstances. I have had so many great opportunities that I wouldn’t have had without the help of the wonderful team at The Girls’ Network.

Dilara, 19, The Girls' Network Ambassador