More than 400 students, mentors, teachers and parents gathered in north-west London this week to celebrate the ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme graduation – the largest in the initiative’s 16-year history.
The event marked the conclusion of this year’s programme, which matched over 450 Year 12 students from 14 secondary schools and the charity Gateways with professionals from one of 90 industries. Each mentee took part in five individual sessions exploring career options, CVs, LinkedIn, applications and workplace visits. Around ten percent of mentors were programme alumni.
Opening the evening, programme co-manager Anna Black said: “Our graduates here tonight have taken part in an experience that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom. They should all feel privileged to have had the chance to be mentored by professionals who genuinely care about their futures, as we hope that in years to come, they will return as mentors themselves.”
Fellow co-manager Mia Lyons added: “We’re so proud of every one of the 450 students that took part in the ORT JUMP Mentoring Programme 2025. We’re also incredibly grateful to the hundreds of volunteers across 90 professions, who gave up their time to offer invaluable advice and support for their mentees.”
Solicitor and long-time mentor Mark Summerfield, managing partner at Solomon Taylor & Shaw, told the audience: “ORT JUMP is more than just a programme.
“It’s a bridge between generations – between experience and aspiration, between questions and clarity.”
His mentee, Dylan Newfield of Yavneh College, said: “By the time we had our final meeting, everything had come together. I had a clearer sense of direction – and, more importantly, the confidence to go after what I want.”
Five students received awards for outstanding creative reflections on their mentoring journeys: Ruby-Tuesday O’Brien, Hannah Osman, Sam-Rose-Isaacs, Jodie Bluston and Samuel Morris. Yavneh College was named School of the Year.
Award winners Hannah Osman, Ruby-Tuesday O’Brien, Sam Rose-Isaacs and Samuel Morris at the ORT JUMP graduation. Photo Credit: Liz Isles Photography
The keynote speaker was sports broadcaster and podcast host Talia Lazarus, who described how a serious road accident in 2021 forced her to rebuild her career and life from scratch.
“I hit a bus, had double knee surgery, and had to relearn how to walk,” she said. “When I look back, I actually wouldn’t change my accident for the world. It was a huge mental and physical recovery.”
Lazarus also offered students practical advice on entering the workforce, stressing the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones, saying yes to opportunities, and not being afraid to fail. “You don’t have to have it all figured out,” she said.
“Some of the most amazing things will happen when you just go for it.”
Hilary Tait, Careers and Curriculum Support Manager at La Sainte Union School, said: “You are already one of the most resilient generations this country has ever seen. Service has been a key feature of my life – I hope it will be a key feature of yours, because it gives everything meaning.”
ORT UK chair Annette Kurer closed the evening with a message of pride and encouragement: “It was wonderful to be surrounded by young people who had such a positive and beneficial ORT JUMP experience. We wish them every success as they take the next steps on their career paths.”
For more information on becoming a mentor or making a donation, visit www.ortuk.org
