My Experience at the Launch of the PoWEr Pack 

Earlier this year, I had the chance to be part of something that reminded me exactly why we do what we do. We launched the very first PoWEr Pack programme with 25 students from The City of Liverpool College and what followed was one of the most honest, inspiring experiences I’ve had in this role. 

The students came from a range of backgrounds, courses, and had different levels of confidence, but all of them showed up with curiosity and creativity. Over a few weeks, I watched them push themselves through workshops, conversations with professionals, and real-world tasks they’d never tried before. 

One day that stood out to me was our industry day at Liverpool Museum. It wasn’t a typical ‘school trip’, students took the lead. They guided visitors, ran live sessions, made snap decisions, and presented their work to museum staff. It was a big step for many of them, and it was amazing to see how seriously they took it and how proud they were afterwards. 

Pitch day was another moment I won’t forget. Sixteen students stood up and spoke to industry leaders. A few weeks earlier, some of them were nervous speaking up in class and now they were presenting their ideas with clarity, confidence, and a real sense of ownership. You could feel the shift in the room. 

The feedback backed it up: 

• 100% said they felt more confident 
• 100% said their public speaking improved 
• 80% said they were better at problem solving and had a clearer understanding of the workplace 

But honestly, you didn’t need the numbers. You could see it in how they carried themselves. This wasn’t about ticking boxes, it was about giving students the chance to realise what they’re capable of when they’re taken seriously and given the space to grow. 

Hearing from people like Jack, who said he’d finally understood how to communicate clearly, or Heidi, who found belief in herself during the more pressured moments, those personal comments were what made it feel the most impactful. 

Liverpool was the perfect place to start PoWEr Pack. It’s our home, and this pilot proved what we’ve always believed: with the right support, young people can surprise even themselves.

Now we want to take PoWEr Pack national. Because every student deserves this kind of opportunity. 

If you’re part of an organisation, or you’re someone who cares about helping young people thrive, we’d love to hear from you. Visit wearepower.net to find out how to get involved.  

This is just the beginning. 

Jasmine Dewhurst, Marketing and Communications Executive at We Are PoWEr, Northern PoWEr Women Awards & PoWEr Collective CIC