Mindera UK Foundation

Over the past few months, the Mindera UK Foundation has worked proudly with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to open doors for young people from diverse backgrounds who are currently seeking employment. Through initiatives like #TechCamps and #MentoringCircles, we’re showing young people what’s possible—whether they aspire to tech roles or other vital positions within the industry. Helping them uncover their potential and providing the tools they need to thrive is at the heart of everything we do💡 We’re thrilled to continue this incredible partnership with the DWP into next year and beyond. With each new cohort we welcome into Mindera's offices in #Leicester or #London, we’re excited to share our experience and knowledge, inspiring even more young people to thrive and achieve their future. Together, we're creating pathways to meaningful opportunities and careers in tech! 🌈💻 Feroz Takolia, Omobola Odutayo MBE, Chantal Reed, Richard Hilsley, Tabitha Hillyard (Assoc CIPD), Leo Ho, Mindera - UK

Last week, the Mindera UK Foundation Board of Trustees held the final meeting of 2024 with our Charity Leader, Damien Reynolds BEM. 🎯 We reflected on our progress and recapped on the year’s achievements, laying the groundwork for an exciting 2025 ahead ✨ Guided by Helen Greig from Trust Impact, our session focused on refining our strategy to empower young people from diverse communities with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to pursue meaningful pathways towards a career in tech 🧑💻 During the meeting, we also welcomed new Trustees, Bill Yuksel and Donya Anvari, and discussed our growing partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), NHS, and potential new opportunities with The King's Trust. As we head into 2025, we’re more committed than ever to making a meaningful difference in young people's lives, and in strengthening the partnerships that help us achieve this. Here’s to an impactful year ahead! 🚀 #MinderaUKFoundation #YouthEmpowerment #CareerinTech Paul Evans, Hetal Kurji-Evans, Stuart Baker, Gemma Forrest, Mihir Patel

💫 We're excited to announce that Bill Yuksel has joined the Board of Trustees of the Mindera UK Foundation! Bill brings extensive experience in equitable charity leadership recruitment from his work with Peridot Partners, where he has led hundreds of senior leadership and board appointments, including over 50 charity CEO roles across the UK 🇬🇧 A champion of #DiversityEquityInclusion, Bill has a strong track record of recruiting leaders from underrepresented communities through inclusive and empowering processes. Outside of work, Bill is a foster carer, espresso enthusiast ☕ and CrossFit devotee 🏋️♂️. He has also served as a board member for three youth-focused charities, supporting major organisational change programmes. Having overcome systemic barriers early in his life, Bill understands the importance of opportunity. His lived experiences inspire his commitment to mentoring and empowering emerging leaders, offering pro bono career advice to help them succeed. 💬 In Bill’s words: "The #MinderaUKFoundation has ambitious plans to make a real difference to the lives of under-privileged young people. I am humbled and excited that I have been given the opportunity to use my lived experience and professional skills to help the foundation on this important journey." Welcome to the team, Bill! 🙌

💫 We're excited to announce that Donya Anvari has joined the Board of Trustees of the Mindera UK Foundation! Donya is a dynamic professional with nearly a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, passionately championing social impact causes, both domestically and internationally. Her expertise in philanthropic investment and measurable social returns has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that drive meaningful change across a range of causes. As the Co-Founder and Director of 🏳️🌈 Certified Proud, a social enterprise dedicated to fostering LGBTQ+ inclusivity, Donya has helped organisations achieve cultural transformation and meet their #DEI goals. With her lived experiences and professional insights, Donya brings a unique perspective to the #BoardofTrustees. Her deep understanding of social justice, cultural change, and strategic leadership will be invaluable as we continue our mission to transform the lives of young people with pathways to a career in tech. 💬 In Donya’s own words: "I’m really excited to join the Mindera UK Foundation's Board of Trustees and bring my professional and lived experience to an organisation that has ambitious plans to transform the lives of young people." Welcome to the team, Donya! 🙌

International Volunteer Day! 🌍 At the Mindera UK Foundation, we believe a career in tech is for everyone. By supporting individuals from underserved and underprivileged backgrounds, we help them discover and pursue opportunities in the tech world. This mission is powered by our amazing volunteers from Mindera and Mindera - UK, who have contributed over 200 hours this year💡 From AI and Cybersecurity to non-tech areas like Marketing, Design, Recruitment, and Finance, colleagues have shared their expertise to inspire the next generation of tech talent through #TechCamps, workshops, and ongoing guidance👩💻👨💻 Volunteering has the power to transform lives, and today, we’re celebrating the meaningful impact it creates for the individuals and communities we support ❤️ #InternationalVolunteerDay #MinderaUKFoundation

This week, the Mindera UK Foundation was proud to be represented at the relaunch of the Leicester LGBT Centre 🌈 held at Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium ⚽ Our Charity Lead, Damien Reynolds BEM, spoke about the importance of our growing partnership with the Centre and the shared commitment to supporting the #LGBTQ+ community. Over recent months, this partnership has included: 🎯 Mindera volunteers supporting the Centre during #Pride 🏳️🌈 🎯 Helping the charity implement AI tools to improve daily operations and fundraising 🤖 🎯 Piloting #TechCamps to encourage better representation in the tech industry 💻 This event highlighted the Centre’s vital role, from its beginnings as the Gay Helpline in the 1970s to becoming the Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre, supporting today’s broader community and staunchly advocating for LGBTQ+ rights 💙 We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership and contributing to the Centre’s important work! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ #MinderaUKFoundation #InclusionMatters

🎥 Highlights from our #LeveragingAI Workshop for Charity Leaders! 🎥 Our workshop brought together charities like Young People First, YMCA Leicestershire, FareShare Midlands, Leicester LGBT Centre, and more to explore how #AI can transform fundraising, business plans and streamline operations. In the highlights, you'll see: 🎯 CEO Paul Brown (YMCA Leicestershire): Share the workshop’s impact and the value of a partnership with the #MinderaUKFoundation. 🎯 Trustee Bill Yuksel (Peridot Partners): Give an insight into the challenges and opportunities AI presents for the sector. 🎯 Damien Reynolds BEM (Mindera UK Foundation) & Diogo V. (Mindera Labs): Share their inspiration behind creating the workshop to empower charities. Watch now to see how we’re driving meaningful change with those charities through the use of AI! 💥 #TechForGood

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) #MentoringCircle empowers individuals to take charge of their growth, unlock their potential, and shape the future they aspire to. Last week, the Mindera UK Foundation proudly hosted a Mentoring Circle #TechCamp at the Mindera office in London, welcoming 26 young people eager to explore exciting opportunities in tech as they embark on their employment journey! 💻 Led by Damien Reynolds BEM & Leo Ho, coordinated by Omobola Odutayo MBE, there was also insightful talks from Mindera - UK colleagues: ✅ Tabitha Hillyard (Assoc CIPD): Recruitment, interviews, and breaking into the industry ✅ Chantal Reed: Marketing, design, and exploring non-tech career pathways Participants gained an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the tech world, leaving with actionable insights to accelerate their own #CareerInTech 🚀

🚀 Empowering Charities through AI 🚀 Last week, the Mindera UK Foundation teamed up with Mindera Labs to host a #LeveragingAI for Charity Leaders & Fundraisers workshop. We brought together charities across the region to explore how AI can be used to maximise their impact in today’s challenging environment. Did you know that the charity sector loses £700 million each year on unsuccessful funding bids? With rising costs, stretched resources, and an ever-growing demand for services, it’s crucial for charities to work smarter, not harder. But here’s the catch: 1 in 3 charities aren’t currently using AI, and those that are often struggle to harness its full potential in their storytelling and fundraising strategies. This workshop was designed to address this gap, helping charity leaders and fundraisers to: 💡 Grasp the real meaning of AI and how it can be a tool, not a threat 💡 Discover practical ways AI can support funding and operations 💡 Develop a foundation for responsible, risk-aware AI use With events like these, we hope to drive forward a more resilient, AI-enabled future for the sector! ✅ Young People First, Leicester LGBT Centre, YMCA Leicestershire, Over The Wall Camp, FareShare Midlands, Peridot Partners, Future Talent #TechforGood #MinderaUKFoundation #AI

The Mindera UK Foundation were thrilled to host the first 3-day #techcamp in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week, welcoming a fantastic group of young people eager to dive into the world of tech! 👨💻👩💻 Over the sessions, students explored Generative AI 🤖, got hands-on with Front-End Development 💻, and had the chance to experience Mindera’s unique company culture up close. We were excited to see everyone’s enthusiasm and curiosity as they connected with our team and each other! The group finished the week with a visit to the Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre, where we experienced a sound and video exhibition 🎥, wrapping up the experience with a final lunch together there. A big thank you to the Mindera - UK team for their support throughout the camp and to the students who joined us—your energy made this camp unforgettable! 🚀 Avinash, Damien, Dan, Feroz, Gemma, Hetal, Karthik, Leo, Sally, Tabitha #MinderaUKFoundation #FutureInTech