Female entrepreneur mentorship programme goes international with Dubai expansion

North West based social enterprise Girls Out Loud has taken its “powerful” mentorship programme across the globe, launching its first ever international ‘Big Sister’ programme to support vulnerable, middle teenage girls in Dubai.

Originally launched in the North West in 2010, this is the first time entrepreneur and founder Jane Kenyon has introduced the ‘Big Sister’ programme outside of the UK.

Visiting the school in May, Jane Kenyon kicked off Girls Out Loud by hosting the “much-loved” Role Model Relay event for over 80 Year 8 girls, a high energy speed mentoring affair harnessing the wisdom of over 30 female role models who shared their stories with the girls and helped them understand the world of work.

20 previously enrolled ‘Big Sisters’ were provided with training to go on to support and provide guidance to 20 ‘Little Sisters’ over the next 12 months. The goal is to help them find their voice and become the best version of themselves.

Girls Out Loud’s multi award-winning ‘Big Sister Programme’ recruits, selects, trains and supports women from all walks of life including the corporate sector, entrepreneurs and the public sector and everything in between, to step up and become mentors to young girls.

The enrolled Big Sisters in Dubai include females from PWC, Nando’s, Hilton Dubai, Dubai Eye Radio, Houbara Communications, McDermott Middle East Inc. Already off to a flying start and attracting much media attention in the region, the programme, which was originally scheduled to run from May 2022-23, has already been extended into 2024.

Jane Kenyon, founder of Girls Out Loud, commented: “I feel honoured to carry the success of the Big Sister programme from the UK to UAE, supporting and nurturing the school’s young girls to believe in themselves and step up and shine. This experience confirms for me that middle girls are middle girls no matter their location or culture.

“Our partnership with Dubai Collage is a brilliant start to inspiring more girls across the globe to find their voice, visibility and girl power!”