A MENTORING scheme that pairs women in business with year nine girls at schools across Devon has received a welcome boost.

Empowering Girls South West, a community interest company, has received a £3,000 donation from the Elaine and Angus Lloyd Charitable Trust.

The funding will be used to expand the programme and enable more girls to access the opportunities it provides.

The scheme connects girls with female role models from a wide range of industries, helping to build confidence, challenge stereotypes and broaden career aspirations.

Amanda Floyd, a mentor on the programme and a trustee of the charity, which was established by her great-grandmother Elaine Lloyd and grandfather Angus Lloyd, said its aim was to support causes that improve the lives and prospects of young people.

She said: “The Empowering Girls programme is such a valuable addition to the employment advice offered in our schools, something which became very clear during my mentoring with the group.

“The Trust was originally set up by my great-grandmother and we are now the fourth generation. Our focus has always been on giving back to the local community, with a particular emphasis on youth opportunity, education and engagement.”

Empowering Girls is strategically led by a board of directors, coordinated by the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Careers Hub and supported by a volunteer advisory panel of mentors. The programme inspires year nine girls by connecting them with female role models, building confidence, breaking down stereotypes and broadening horizons.

Sarah Abrahams, founder of Empowering Girls, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Lloyd family for this generous donation and their contribution to supporting young women across Devon.

“This funding will allow us to reach even more girls at a crucial stage in their education, helping them to see what is possible, raise their aspirations and feel confident about their future choices. The impact of the programme is life-changing for many of the girls who take part, and this support will make a lasting difference to both the students and the mentors involved.”

The Empowering Girls programme began in 2021 following a successful pilot in 2019. Since then, it has grown significantly and has supported more than 800 girls across 20 schools in Devon, powered by 400 volunteer mentors.