CHARITY
Lighting the way – PoW’ s directors are asking more businesspeople to inspire young Teessiders.
Hands up if you need support – PoW’ s work inspires young people.
THE POWER OF
YOU
Why Teesside’ s young people need business backing
Here to help – PoW needs more supporters like Caroline Theobald( pictured).
Across the Tees Valley, young people are filled with ambition but many still struggle to see where they fit in the world of work. At Power of Women( PoW), they hear the same phrase repeated in classrooms and assemblies, from primary schools to colleges:“ That’ s not for me.”
Not because young people lack talent or drive, but because they rarely see people from their own communities in the roles they dream of. The careers they could pursue feel distant, almost reserved for others.
That’ s why Teesside-headquartered PoW champions the idea that you can be the person you needed when you were younger.
PoW’ s Sophie McKenna says:“ Right now, we are asking local business leaders, early-career professionals and industry experts across the region to step forward, not as celebrities or perfect success stories, but as real, relatable role models.”
A single story told by someone just a few steps ahead can open a door in a young person’ s mind. A 15-minute talk in a classroom. A conversation at a careers event. A real example of someone from their town who built a life they once thought was out of reach.
That’ s how PoW changes the narrative from:“ That’ s not for people like me” to“ Why not me?”
And they can’ t do that without the business community.
As a regional campaign without regular or guaranteed funding, PoW relies on the support of forward-thinking employers who understand that shaping the next generation is a shared responsibility.
Corporate sponsors make PoW’ s work possible.
They: > Fund the schools programmes and events > Empower thousands of young people with confidence and aspiration > Strengthen the local talent pipeline > Help PoW bring diverse role models directly into classrooms
> Support community outreach without financial barriers Their backing isn’ t simply financial, it’ s a commitment to creating a region where opportunity is visible, accessible and achievable.
So PoW’ s message is clear: help change“ That’ s not for me” into“ Why not me?” Become a PoW role model.
Sign up via the QR code or email hello @ powerofwomen. org. uk
A call to the business community If you are reading this as an employer, a leader, a manager or someone who remembers what it felt like to be unsure of your path, this is your moment to pay it forward.
PoW needs diverse role models. Young people need to hear real stories. Our region needs visible examples of success in all its forms.
Whether you become a PoW role model, encourage your staff to get involved, sponsor PoW’ s work or put forward a young professional for PoW Next Gen, your impact will reach far beyond your organisation.
As Sophie says:“ Together, we can ensure every young person in the Tees Valley grows up asking not,‘ Is this for me?’ but,‘ Why not me?’”
Introducing PoW Next Gen
To support our plans in 2026, PoW is launching PoW Next Gen, a dynamic group of early-career professionals aged 18-28 who will act as visible ambassadors for the campaign.
This collective will be made up of 12-15 young people from across the Tees Valley( and beyond) who bring different industries, passions and lived experiences. They won’ t be board members. Instead, they’ ll be active contributors, storytellers and champions of PoW’ s mission inside workplaces and communities.
PoW Next Gen advocates will: > Share their personal journeys to inspire younger students > Support PoW events and schools programmes > Build networks with businesses across the region > Grow their skills, confidence and professional visibility
> Become the relatable role models that our young people desperately need
With an event planned for early 2026, PoW is now inviting expressions of interest from young professionals who want to make a difference. Email hello @ powerofwomen. org. uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 143