When one of the world’s leading law firms went into a school in one of London’s poorest inner-city boroughs it proved a learning experience for all involved. The young students began to expand their horizons, while staff from Clifford Chance saw how they could inspire others — despite the two being worlds apart.

Cathy Jones, community affairs manager at the legal firm, says that in terms of average income the City of London and Canary Wharf, where its offices are based, are probably two of the richest parts of the country. But the part of Tower Hamlets in which Mulberry School for Girls stands — less than two miles from Canary Wharf — is among the poorest.

The legal firm has mentored at the school since 2001 and worked with more than 500 students. Most of the girls are from the local Bengali community and their parents are not professionals.

“The girls look at these towering financial palaces and wonder what it is like inside,” says Brian Eastty, careers and guidance co-ordinator at Mulberry. “Thanks to programmes such as this they see that people working there are just fellow human beings and that a career with firms like Clifford Chance could be accessible.”

Meeting with a mentor for one hour about every four weeks allows the teenage girls to put questions and build a professional relationship with someone outside their immediate circle who they can look up to and respect. However, first they have to get to the law firm’s offices.

“Just making the short trip from the school to Canary Wharf can be a big deal,” Jones says. “If you are a timid 15 year old who has rarely been out of Tower Hamlets, stepping though the doors of a corporate environment can be intimidating.”

This is not only an opportunity to open the students’ eyes but also for the mentors to feel that they are giving something back to the community.

Eleanor West, an associate at Clifford Chance and mentor to two girls, says: “I really appreciated the support I had from various people throughout school, university, and when applying for jobs. Being able to offer an alternative viewpoint to those who do not have the family or contacts I took for granted certainly appealed to me.”

The mentoring programme is not designed to encourage lawyers, (volunteers can be from IT, HR or one of the many other professional groups employed by the firm). Mentors are there to motivate and encourage students and to act as a sounding board for questions on everything from school life to current affairs, although most of the queries revolve around career skills. Help is given on preparing CVs, time management and finding and applying for jobs.

“The girls at Mulberry are very career focused but they do not necessarily have the knowledge or confidence to make their horizons realistic,” Eastty says.

This was the case for Tamanna Hussein, 15, in the second year of the mentoring programme, who wanted to be a lawyer but was afraid of public speaking.

“We worked on presentation skills and I had to present to my mentor and friend, which really helped. I’ve learnt to be independent.”

This in turn has helped her to gain confidence in other areas of her life, as Eastty explains. “She went on to do a play that won an award at the Edinburgh Festival. I do not think she would have done that before she went to Clifford Chance.”

And what has West gained from the experience? “Both my students made really positive comments about how they find it useful having someone to talk to and discuss issues with. One of the girls would like to be a lawyer, the other is interested in design. To know they are getting something out of it and want to continue with me for another year is incredibly rewarding.”

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