We shine our Ambassador Spotlight onto one of our longest-serving Ambassadors Stephen Blackmore from Turners of Soham Ltd, who’s been with us for our entire lifespan!
He thrives on giving back and hearing about the impact his support has had on individual students. He also has some great advice for anyone who might be interested in dipping their toe into some activities as a new member of our community.
Name: Stephen Blackmore
Current position: Driver Safety Management
Organisation: Turners Soham Ltd
What other jobs did you do, before this one?
My first job was at Greys sports shop in Cambridge for 5 years, and then I was at Pickford Removals for two years, moving into Marshall Cambridge Truck Sales. I was there for six, then became the Sales Director at Volvo Trucks for 23 years. I’ve now been in Driver Safety Management at Turners Soham Ltd for 13 years and going strong.
Complete this sentence: “When I was growing up, I wanted to be..."
“When I was growing up, I wanted to be a pilot.”
Best piece of career advice you have ever been given?
Be honest – preparation is key – respect – Listen well – ask questions – stay humble and work hard.
When and why did you start volunteering with Form the Future?
10 years ago when Michaela Eschbach visited me at Turners…the rest is history.
What do you like most about being an Ambassador and/or what keeps you coming back?
Giving something back to the next generation coming through – the opportunity to work with more challenged students and see their confidence, self-esteem and self-worth grow.
How do you know that volunteering with Form the Future makes a real difference to young people (do you have a story you can share, that illustrates this)?
I completed an 18-month mentoring programme within Impington Village College as part of my Enterprise Advisor role – these were 7 challenged students who just inspired me as we learnt together and achieved our goals from the programme – BUT when one made contact with me 12 months after it finished to ask my advice for a new job and provide a reference, it not only moved me emotionally but demonstrated that giving time, listening, being honest and building trust really pays off – one of my most rewarding experience and work through my career.
Putting aside the benefit to the student, how else has volunteering with Form the Future been a beneficial experience for you?
See question above. It’s just great to meet new like-minded people, understand the life of teachers and colleges more and its allowed me to give something back.
What would you say to someone who’s wondering whether to sign up as an Ambassador with Form the Future? (or) Why would you recommend volunteering with us to a fellow professional?
Firstly, if you have had any interest in supporting and experience working with students, take the dive with Form the Future, maybe starting with Mock Interviews, or one of the other half-day events organised.
Then once you’ve had a taste and experienced the rewards and realised it’s actually fun and that students can be very inspirational, think about the Enterprise Advisor role that provides longer term support. It’s something you can get your teeth stuck into and, again, is incredibly rewarding. You will genuinely feel you are contributing and giving something back to your community.
We share the Ambassador Spotlight in our monthly Ambassador Update emails, as well as on our website and social platforms. It’s a wonderful way to raise the profile of your own volunteering whilst supporting Form the Future in a new and different way.
If you’d like to feature in our next Ambassador Spotlight, email Dawn, our Ambassador Engagement Manager and she’ll send you questions to respond to.
