Following the publication of
Seven Key Truths about Social Mobility, we are now focusing
on three strands of work: character & resilience; networks &
contacts; and social mobility 'goldspots'. In addition, we
continue our programme of discussion events in Parliament
covering all aspects of mobility.
Seven Key Truths
identified character and resilience as the missing link in
mobility - a force at play throughout the lifecycle but all too
often overlooked in favour of more tangible, easier-to-measure
factors. We believe Britain needs a 'national conversation' on
the role that focusing on character and resilience could play in
narrowing the attainment gap. In February, we hosted
a 'summit' on this subject, to help stimulate
discussion among key practitioners, commentators and opinion
formers. Our ultimate aim is to help stimulate new practical
solutions or highlight and help the spread of proven existing
ones.
...is the name of our quest to
find the exceptions to social immobility. We hear a lot
about blackspots where privilege or disadvantage are thoroughly
entrenched, but we know there must be examples where this is not
true. So we want to hear about those examples - the
schools, colleges, universities, career development plans, youth
programmes, ethnic groups, towns, business sectors, whatever -
that can truly be called goldspots of equal, fair opportunity.
If you would like to nominate a
programme - your own or another - as a goldspot, please drop an
email to Richard Rigby (richard.rigby@princes-trust.org.uk)
with a brief outline of the reasons. The key thing is
quantified evidence - not completion numbers or feedback
surveys, but actual stats of how people's advancement or
opportunities outperform thanks to the programme. Thank
you in advance for your nominations!
The group was formed in 2011 to
“discuss and promote the cause of social mobility; to raise
issues of concern and help inform policy makers and opinion
formers”. Our objectives at formation also stated that
“the particular focus is to be on understanding what social
mobility is, and what has/does/could impact it – both in policy
terms and in more informal, cultural ways … Much of the activity
is likely to centre around research and analysis, and taking
input from academics, think tanks and other thought leaders.”
Most of our evidence sessions are
open both to parliamentarians and to organisations who have
registered their interest in the subject with us. We are
very grateful to those who come along and contribute to the
discussions.
We are extremely grateful to the
Prince's Trust
for their generous support for the group, in particular providing the
secretariat.
The all-party group has many supporters across all parties in
both Houses of Parliament. The officers of the group for
2012/13 are:
