Who are we speaking to today?

Hello! I’m Tamana, and I’m the Mentoring Programme Manager at Routes. I joined the Routes team in 2022, and since then I’ve had the privilege of being part of a community that is built on connection, courage, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

My role is all about bringing people together, creating meaningful mentoring relationships between our mentees and mentors, supporting them on their journeys, and helping build a space where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.

In one sentence can you describe what Routes do?

Routes empower women seeking safety through meaningful development opportunities, advocate for a just and compassionate asylum system, and inspire inclusive leadership at every level of society.

How did Routes begin?

Routes was founded in 2017 by Leyla McLennan and Daisy Jacobs, who met while studying social innovation and social enterprise. Bringing together Leyla’s experience using theatre for confidence-building and Daisy’s work in refugee camps in Europe, they began by running theatre-based English classes for asylum-seeking women in London.

These sessions created a space where women could build language skills, confidence, and connections through creativity and joy, complementing mainstream ESOL provision that often had long waiting lists and limited support.

For women rebuilding their lives in a new country, access to employment and education shapes financial independence, a sense of belonging, and the ability to choose their own future. Routes works to ensure women seeking safety can access the opportunities, networks, and resources they need to choose their own path and fulfil their potential. This belief inspired our flagship Mentoring Programme, which connects women with professional mentors for personalised support shaped around their goals, experiences, and aspirations.

Recently Routes shared a blog post: 15 moments from Routes’ 15th Mentoring Cohort, a series of reflections from mentees within the program. Flipping the question, do you have a particular moment or event you find yourself coming back to most often?

*Routes 15th Mentoring cohort mentees and mentors end of programme celebration event.*

One moment I find myself coming back to most often is the first few weeks of the programme, when mentors and mentees are just beginning to meet and build their relationships.

There is always a mix of excitement, curiosity, and nervousness at the start, people from different backgrounds coming together, sharing their stories, and finding common ground. Seeing those first conversations develop into relationships built on trust, respect, and genuine connection is something I find incredibly meaningful.

This is where I see Routes’ values come to life: the Welcome we create for people to feel they belong, the Joy that comes from new connections and shared experiences, and the Autonomy that grows as mentees gain confidence in their own strengths, choices, and ambitions.

For me, the most powerful moments are not always the big milestones or outcomes, but the small changes that happen along the way: a mentee feeling more confident sharing their goals, someone recognising their own strengths, or a mentor realising how much they have learned through the relationship too.

At the end of every four-month programme cycle, I always come back to those moments because they remind me why Routes exists, to create spaces where people feel welcomed, connected, and able to move forward with confidence and autonomy.

How can people & the community support Routes?

People and the wider community can support Routes by becoming part of the change we are hoping to see. This support can take many forms, including:

Taking part in our mentoring programme, or encouraging employees, colleagues or friends to do so.

Developing a collaborative partnership with Routes, whether that’s by committing to a number of paid mentor places every year, a CSR contract involving different volunteering opportunities or perhaps something entirely different - we’re always keen to explore what works best for everyone involved!

Commissioning Routes to run a bespoke mentoring programme.

Directly donating to our work (one-off or monthly donations are always welcome): https://www.givey.com/routes

How can people get in touch with you?

If you would like to be part of the Routes community, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are interested in becoming a mentor, exploring a partnership, or simply learning more about our work, please get in touch.

You can reach us at tamana@routescollective.com or connect with us through LinkedIn - we would love to start a conversation and explore how you can be part of creating more opportunities, connections, and belonging.

Spolight on: Routes

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