SHAPING Portsmouth’s Care Leavers programme provides support for young people after leaving care, and to prepare those still in the care system for their next steps.

Following on from an update at the successful Business Leaders Event, all mentors have now completed their training with Shaping Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council.

This Shaping Portsmouth programme is led by the dedicated Ken Ebbens. Ken has worked in the life assurance industry for nearly 50 years to a senior level of management and has also run his own company. He has a lot of experience in the voluntary sector supporting carers and being an advocate for those needing help and support. Over the past 12 months he has been working with care leavers and is keen to support others were possible.

Sam McGrath, head of programme and partner development, said: "The full management team at Shaping Portsmouth would like to thank Ken Ebbens and all three trusted mentors for going on this new journey with us. Together we will work hard to ensure we deliver on our vision and mission by January 2022, to support and grow the life’s of as many care leavers as possible."

Michael J Thornton, managing director of KSM and director at Shaping Portsmouth, is one of our new mentors.

He said: “Working within the charity sector for so long I can see first-hand some of the challenges our young people can face. If I can make a difference to a young person’s life through listening and support, then that would be by pleasure”

Two further mentors were chosen from Shaping Portsmouth’s partners: Tom Lloyd and Miles Henson.

Tom Lloyd, acting managing director from the City of Portsmouth College, is an experienced educational leader and director with a demonstrated history of working in the further education sector and sports industry. Skilled in strategic management, project management, coaching, football, innovation development, and management. Tom is a strong professional with a chartered management degree focused in business management.

Miles Henson, station director and business express presenter at Express FM, has worked in the ‘people business’ for over 25 years, helping elite sports teams and businesses communicate more effectively with each other.

A global speaker in leadership, communication, people behaviour and culture, Miles has worked in more than 38 countries in 20 years across a diverse range of industries. He also has a passion for radio and is station director for Express FM, Portsmouth’s local radio station. He has been a broadcaster for more than 20 years and before taking over as director, Miles was a volunteer for much of that time. He also now manages 55 volunteers at Express FM. Miles is also a trustee and director of Pompey in the Community.