As part of its community impact work, Carpenter Box, part of the Sumer group, took part in the Love Local Jobs Foundation’s Dare to Dream programme, supporting and mentoring 15 Year 9 students from Davison CE High School for Girls in Worthing through a series of interactive sessions. The programme also included year-group assemblies delivered by footballer Rhian Cleverly to more than 250 students.

Dare to Dream gives students the chance to hear from inspiring role models, explore their strengths and ambitions, and build the confidence and practical skills they need as they prepare for the future.

The 15 students selected for the mentoring programme took part in a series of sessions with five female mentors from Carpenter Box. The mentors visited the school before welcoming the students to the firm’s Worthing office for a workplace visit. During the visit, students gained an insight into life at a professional services firm, explored the range of careers available within accountancy and took part in a business case study.

The visit also included a Q&A session with Meghan Clark from Carpenter Box's tax team and Katie Sanders from StarBox, the firm's specialist accountancy service for influencers, content creators and businesses in the creator economy. They shared their own career journeys and answered questions about working in the profession.

Liz Tarsey, Careers Leader at Davison CE High School, commented: “Working in partnership with Carpenter Box and the Love Local Jobs Foundation has been a truly positive and inspiring experience for our students. The opportunity for our Year 9 students to engage with successful female mentors, have personalised and tailored conversations, and take part in meaningful workshops has had a lasting impact on their confidence and awareness of the opportunities available to them.”

Rhian Cleverly, Programme Delivery Consultant from the Love Local Jobs Foundation, added: "As I reflect on completing our first Dare to Dream programme with Carpenter Box and Davison CE High School, I'm reminded of exactly why I love what I do.

Seeing more than 250 students engage with the programme through the assembly, while working more closely with 15 girls in the mentoring sessions, has been incredibly rewarding. It has been a genuine privilege to lead this all-female programme and work alongside both Carpenter Box and Davison CE High School.”

Kira McKinney, Marketing and Communications Director at Carpenter Box said: “We are proud to have supported such a valuable initiative and to have played a part in helping young women build confidence and think positively about their future. Our staff volunteers found the experience hugely rewarding, and it was a pleasure to work with the Love Local Jobs Foundation, Davison CE High School and Rhian Cleverly to bring the programme to life.”