Reach Society’s 15th Year Milestone
THE ANATOMY OF REACH SOCIETY
IBy Vic Motune and Dr Dwain Neil
n 2010, Reach Society (the Society) was just an idea fuelled by a good deal of passion. Today the Society is proud to share its contributions to inspiring some 50,000 young people across 6 cities, and the vast majority are from the Black community.
This year, 15 years later, is a milestone for the Society and it will be celebrated under the ReachSociety15 schedule of activities. Primarily, beginning early January, an article will feature in the Gleaner; an interview with Rudi Page from MCW Ltd for broadcast on social media and Fresh FM Radio; and a themed Networking Conversation
(NetCon) by the Society moderated by Prof. Donald Palmer a director of the Society.
PLATFORMS
In March, an 8 page supplement about the Society will feature in the Voice Newspaper, as well as their social media platforms. In April, there will be a reception for the Society’s supporters and stakeholders in the RSA House, RSA (the Royal Society of Arts), off the Strand, Charing Cross, hosted by Lord Simon Woolley, feature some of the Society’s patrons, leaders and supporters.
On 21 June, the Society will be hosting
the annual Windrush Day Thanksgiving Gathering (in which some Windrush Nation Awards shall be made to a few unsung heroes).
In July, there will be a second reception hosted by Lloyd’s of London, one of the Society’s strategic supporters.
On 25 October, there will be the annual Recognition Awards dinner honouring corporates and role models for their support of the 2025 inspirational events, which will also feature the contributions of the Society over 15 years. The Society’s evolution and growth is based on the concept of showcasing pathways to success to young people aged 9 to 24.
CAREERS
There are three large events that were designed for this purpose which are the Careers Days, the Employability Days, and the Careers Conferences. The Careers Days, for pupils under the age of 11, are designed on the treasure hunt principle. The Employability Days, for young people aged 11 plus, are designed around engagement with role models, corporations (large and small), themed workshops and candid discussions with teams of experts.
The Careers Conferences have a similar format to the Employability Days but its a much larger affair on
a bigger scale’. Each of these events will attract from 1,000 to 2,000 young people, aged 13 plus. The attendees will have access to scores of role models, dozens of corporate exhibitors, ten themed workshops and a large Panel of Experts (professional men and women). A significant feature of these events is the access that attendees gain to work experience, apprenticeships, bursaries, scholarships, summer schools, nongraduate and graduate employment.
The Society’s evolution and growth is also based on the participation of a
THE 2019 CAREERS CONFERENCE: The Society, a master in its craft, is best known for designing and rolling out large inspirational events. The 2019 Careers Conference event (above pic) was well attended with around 1700 young people, including parents.
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large number of volunteers of which there are more than 250 to be found in urban centres such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Luton, Leicester and Wolverhampton. These volunteers are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, educational levels, expertise and ages from the Black community.
PATHWAYS
Some are entrepreneurs running their micro-businesses, some are very senior executives in the private and public sectors, and some are retired and are driven by their sense of compassion to inspire young people to discover pathways to success. All have helped the Society to impact young people, year after year. The Society’s journey over 15 years is comprised of 150 monthly NetCons; 70 inspirational events (of which 56 are Employability Days and 14 are Careers Conferences). It is also built on roughly a dozen partnerships. The Durham University partnership are Durham STEP (Space to Explore Potential) provides year 12 (aged 16 plus) Black pupils with a summer school experience. And from the assessment, the successful ones are made attractive A-level offers to accept undergraduate places at Durham. This partnership was started in 2018 with a score of year 12s, and in 2024 the University made offers to 150. This dramatic growth rate is indicative of the success of this ongoing collaboration. There are also ongoing partnerships with the Amos Bursary, RAFFA International Development Agency, the Enfield Caribbean Association (ECA), the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Lloyd’s of London.
AWARDS
The Society’s journey has also attracted the attention of onlookers who have admired the work being done and
have conferred 6 awards on the Society. The most high profile of which was the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) which was received in 2017. The Society’s leadership team were honoured to be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen for this award; and for the other awards from institutions such as Lloyds Banking Group, City & Islington Colleges, Business in the Community (BITC) and Anglia Ruskin University.
INCOME
Perhaps the Society is most uniquely placed in that its leaders have built the operation without any government grant. By choosing to generate income via a portfolio of services and products, the Society has generated sufficient income which has been used to grow the operation, year on year, from its base in London through to other cities across the UK. Income is now being generated in a number of ways. Firstly, from the sale of six books, all written and published by the Society. Secondly, from the sale of exhibition space in our inspirational events. Thirdly, from the effective design and hosting of an annual Recognition Awards evening for thanking stakeholders and volunteers. Fourthly, from the design and roll out of bespoke inspirational events for institutions in the education sector such as schools, colleges and universities. This mix of products and services have helped the Society to become a viable and sustainable social enterprise that is fit to inspire young people across the UK.
(left pic) The 2022 Visit to Lloyd’s of London HQ: L to R - John Neal, Lloyd’s CEO; Mark Lomas, Head of Culture; Jo Scott, Head of Lloyd’s Foundation; Prof. Donald Palmer; and Dr Dwain Neil OBE, Reach Society, Directors
WHY FORM REACH SOCIETY IN 2010?
WBy Rodney Hinds
hy was Reach Society formed? That was the question the leaders of the Society were mostly asked.The short answer given was that our compassion would not allow us to keep on looking the other way and ignoring the fault lines in the nurturing and development of young Black people in the education system.
The deeper answer is related to the Reach Report that was published in 2007 by the then Labour government into the under-attainment of Black boys in the UK. The report made a few recommendations of what should be done to mitigate this issue which had persisted for decades.
The recommendation that was acted
upon and which gained a good deal of publicity was about the identification of a cohort of 20 national Black role models, all male; and who would be deployed to engage and inspire young people, especially Black boys and young Black men; they were also expected to influence institutions to adopt a different attitude towards young Black men entering the workplace.
In 2008, the national role model programme (NRMP) was launched by the Labour government with the Windsor Fellowship being given the responsibility to prepare the national role models and deploy them across the country. However, after just 18 months, the initiative had run into difficulties
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.which resulted in the government losing confidence. Consequently, it was wound up. The NRMP was expected to operate for three years but ceased operation after just eighteen months.
Two of the architects of the Reach Society’s idea - Rob and Donald - were closely involved with the NRMP; the third, Dwain, was not, but closely observed the endeavour. However, once the government announced the ending of the NRMP the three friends met to discuss the implications for the boys and young men in the Black community.
The main outcome of their meetings was the realisation that it was the responsibility of the adults in the Black community to inspire the young
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people in their community, and not the government. The next step taken by the three friends would change everything.
They decided to do something this matter, and after six months of discussion the idea of Reach Society emerged. It was based on a vision that, “Every Black boy and young Black man should become aware of the Reach Society, and that they should be able to make a positive connection with one or more of the Society’s role models of Black professional men.”
In order to work towards this vision there would be three programmes that would be pursued in parallel. The first programme would build awareness of the Society, the second would prepare and
deploy role models, and the third would build a robust foundation for the future.
Throughout the six months in which the idea of Reach Society was being developed, the architects were acutely aware of the work they had done in their families with their eight children, and they were guided by their deep compassion to construct a project that could make a difference to a large number of young people. As time went by, it became clear that it was this deep sense of compassion that has helped the leaders of the Society to find solutions to all the issues and challenges encountered over the years. After 15 years the metrics tell their own story.
A role model speaking with a young person at a Careers Conference Reach Society leaders at the QAVS reception in 2017 A pair of role models speaking with a young person at a Careers event
DOES COLLABORATION MATTER?
Sending Our Warmest Congratulations to Reach Society
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the founders and members of Reach Society, led by the esteemed OBE Dr. Dwain Neil and his team, on reaching their 15th anniversary milestone in 2025.For 15 years, Reach Society has been a beacon of inspiration, empowering Black boys and young Black men to unlock their full potential through mentorship, networking, and role models. Your commitment to fostering self-development, representation, and leadership has created lasting opportunities and strengthened the community in profound ways.
At V Jay Theatre Productions, we deeply appreciate the invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided us over the years. Your work continues to be a great source of inspiration, motivating me to push forward on my own creative journey. This year, I am especially excited to take my Windrush solo theatre play, Streets Paved with Gold, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival—a step that reflects the very spirit of perseverance and self-development that Reach Society champions. As we celebrate your incredible milestone, we are also looking ahead with excitement, as V Jay Theatre Productions marks 30 years of storytelling and cultural expression in 2026. Your dedication to building connections and nurturing future generations continues to inspire us, and we look forward to many more years of shared success and community impact.
V Jay Theatre Productions:
Website: VictorRichards.com
Facebook: victorrichards.75
YouTube: vjaytheatre
Instagram: victorrichards2905
X (Twitter): victor richards
TBy Vic Motune
he Networking Conversation (NetCon) programme was designed to build awareness of the Society in the community, which has worked brilliantly. However, to embed the Society in the Black community there have been almost two dozen collaborations with individuals, groups and corporates in the private and voluntary sectors. What follows is an overview of the key features of some of these collaborations or partnerships.
• The first collaboration was triggered by Daniel Norris with City & Islington College, CANDI in 2013 for the design and roll out of Employability Days for year 12 students. It ran for five years.
• The next collaboration was started in 2014 with talented Black boys from the Amos Bursary, AB and it is still in operation.
• The third collaboration was with the newly formed University College for Football Business, UCFB in 2015. It led to a full degree scholarship for a Black young man, Demani Jules-Carbon, who today is on the Society’s leadership team.
• The fourth collaboration was with Grace Foods UK in 2017 and Brunel University London. Three Black young men gained full scholarships to study for degrees and after graduation they are pursuing rewarding careers.
• The fifth collaboration in 2018 was with
the Church Urban Fund, CUF which led to the Society’s first Employability Day outside of London in Wolverhampton for roughly 300 young people.
• Reverend Chris Beales triggered the sixth collaboration with Durham University. The Durham STEP summer school (of Black British year 12 students) had grown from 20 to 150 by 2024; and is ongoing.
Lee Xavier, a solicitor and one of the Society’s role models triggered the seventh collaboration in 2019 with Jesus College, Oxford for year 10 students and facilitation of a Perfect 10 Workshop in the Careers Conference. It ran for four years.
• Professor Clive Fraser triggered the eighth collaboration in 2019 which brought the first Employability Day to Leicester via the University by the same name. This project encouraged local people to host their own inspirational events thereafter.
• Donald Douglas, the chairman of the Association of Jamaicans UK Trust, in 2021 triggered the ninth collaboration known as the Friendship Network, FN for the leaders of several third sector groups, which is ongoing.
• In 2021, the tenth collaboration started with MCW Ltd (founded by Rudi Page) for ad hoc communication projects broadcast on social media and Fresh FM Radio; it too is ongoing.
Natalie Keogh with Dr Dwain Neil at STEP Dinner 2022
OUR PATRONS MATTER
EBudu-Aggrey and Professor Trevor Williams are the five patrons of Reach Society (the Society). The organisation is fortunate to have them as they bring their distinctive perspectives and areas of interest to the Society.
• Professor Trevor Williams became our second patron; he is an economist with several years of working at Lloyds Banking Group; and he now runs a management consultancy.
• John Budu-Aggrey became our third patron; he is an engineer and entrepreneur who founded Alpha BSE Training that has imparted young adults with the portable skills needed to become self-employed in the construction sector.
• Emeritus Professor Sir Geoff Palmer became our fourth patron; he is the new Chancellor of Heriot Watt University, in Edinburgh; and the inventor of the Barley Abrasion Process (BAP) in the 1960s that revolutionised the whisky brewing and malting industry. He also led the effort to found
the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) at Heriot Watt University. His BAP has generated hundreds of millions for the UK over the last sixty five years. Sir Geoff is also a champion for equality and fairness.
• Marva Rollins OBE became our fifth patron; she is a retired superhead teacher in the primary sector; she founded and runs a consultancy that specialises in the training of Black educators for senior leadership.
• Dr Nelda Frater became our sixth patron; she is a GP who founded the
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact:
Frater Clinic that operates from Harley Street. She is the founder of a charity that does important work in a couple of countries in Africa. In 2024 she founded the International Medical Faculty (IMF) which specialises in fostering the networking of Black and Brown medical professionals and for assisting young people to access the UK healthcare sector.
Our patrons are consistent supporters of Society’s inspirational activities for impacting young people across the UK. Dr Dwain Neil OBE the chairman of the Society says, “Our
Congratulations to Reach Society
On behalf of RAFFA International Development Agency, we extend our warmest congratulations to Reach Society on the momentous occasion of its 15th anniversary. This milestone is not just a celebration of time; it is a tribute to the positive impact Reach Society has had on young people across the community and beyond.
We would also like to applaud the leadership of Dr. Dwain Neil OBE, Dr. Donald Palmer, and Rob Neil, who have played pivotal roles in steering Reach Society towards its impactful trajectory. Their vision and dedication have inspired not only the organisation but also the young people they serve, encouraging resilience and ambition in the face of challenges.
At RAFFA International Development Agency, we are proud to have supported Reach Society through various initiatives over the years. Under the inspiring leadership of our CEO, Angela Clarke BEM, RAFFA has forged a path of collaboration and support for community-focused projects. As we reflect on the achievements of the past 15 years, we look forward to the future with great optimism.
cohort of high achieving patrons are a beacon of success that inspires the leadership team to always do its very best to make the Society matter in the Black community aka the Windrush Nation.”
In closing, the Society also pays tribute to Lord Herman Ouseley who was the Society’s first patron, and who sadly passed away in October 2024, after a short illness. Lord Ouseley was excited about the Society’s model for engaging young people and our policy of remaining independent of grant funding from the public sector.
The journey of Reach Society is far from over, and we are excited to see how it will continue to impact the lives of young people, advocate for cultural esteem, and foster a network of change-makers.
Together, we can further our commitment to creating meaningful change, empowering future generations, and celebrating the rich tapestry of our community.
meritus Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, Marva Rollins OBE, Dr Nelda Frater GP, John
(left to right) Professor Sir Geoff Palmer; Dr Nelda Frater GP; Lord Herman Ouseley; John Budu-Aggrey; Marva Rollins OBE; and Professor Trevor Williams.
SEEK NO GOVERNMENT GRANTS!
services.
The idea of building Reach Society without any grants from governments (be they local or central) was conceived from the very start.
During the first six months, from March to September 2010, when the architects of the idea which became Reach Society were meeting in a Starbucks in Harrow, the issue of resourcing had to be addressed.
It was clear to the three architects (Dwain Neil, Donald Palmer and Robert Neil) that the essential resources were manpower and money. As there was no legacy resources to draw on, it was agreed to draw on volunteers in the community to provide the manpower.
On the matter of money to pay for essential items such meeting places, a website, transportation etc., it had to be generated or attracted from rich sources.
FOUNDATIONS
The most obvious potential sources of money the team identified were grants from government or foundations. And the less obvious potential source of money was from the sale of products or
Some of the architects favoured the adoption of the grant option. However, one architect argued that virtually all projects that were founded on government grants failed within a short period because the amounts of grant money were always insufficient, and it was always tied up in conditions that were not aligned to growth.
The other option for generating money was the sale of goods or services, and that too seemed impossible, as two of the three architects had no commercial experience or expertise. However, one of the architects had over 35 years of business management experience which was gained in the private sector.
It therefore fell to him to lead the foundation programme for generating income for the Society.
NETWORKING
Another architect volunteered to lead the programme for building awareness of the Society in the Black community; and it was described as the networking programme.
The third architect declined to volunteer to lead the third programme for training and deploying volunteers to outreach tasks. So someone else was invited to undertake that task, which
was described as the representation programme.
Within the first 60 days of the roll out of the Reach Society’s idea it became obvious that the project needed consistent coordination. The agreed solution was the creation of the role of a coordinator to ensure the work kept moving forward in time.
MONEY
It was at this stage in the evolution of the project that the team, of roughly 10 volunteers, chose Dwain Neil to be the project coordinator, or the chairman.
With Dwain at the helm of the project, he and Donald (who was the other confirmed programme leader) set about the task of attracting a third volunteer to lead the vacant representation programme. It was at this stage that Grantley Yearwood stepped up.
Within the first 100 days, the Society had found its 3 programme directorsDwain, Donald and Grantley. The scene was now set for the team of volunteers to set about the task of turning the idea into an entity that could deliver the plan of inspiring young people in the Black community to develop their potential. In tackling the matter of money for use in the Society, the early costs were met from donations from volunteers.
CAREERS CONFERENCE: The 2013 Book Launch and Sales
By Rodney Hinds and Dr Dwain Neil
Reach Society’s 15th Year Milestone
However, the foundation programme director proposed the idea of selling books for inspiring young people. The first book in the Society’s collection was launched in 2013 at the Society’s second Careers Conference rolled out in Charing Cross hotel on the Strand.
“Our Story By Us For Us,” was the first book conceived, written and published by the Society. The book launch went well as dozens of copies were sold on the day. The guest speakers included the Society’s patrons Lord Herman Ouseley and Prof. Trevor Williams; George Ruddock, deputy editor of Gleaner Media Group spoke. In addition, the co-authors Paula Neil, Dr Keith Davidson and Dr Dwain Neil also spoke. Generating the first income in this way was a source of a good deal of pride which encouraged the Society to continue with this process.
LAUNCHED
The platform for this historic moment was formed in 2012 when the Society launched its first Careers Conference in HMS President the Royal Navy building. This event was observed by an executive from Lloyds Banking Group, Jeremy Adams. He then invited the Society to take part in the Lloyds Community Funds or LCF competition which was rolled out as an awareness building project for
the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The Society took part in the LCF competition in the 33 London boroughs; and it won one of them.
The prize was a donation of £5,000 for use on the project described in the application which was to finance a second Careers Conference the
raising activity via a sponsored run in Hyde Park, sponsored golfing days in Mill Hill, and the receipt of donations from volunteers. The Lloyds Bank donation was the largest single income at that stage.
The leadership team chose to host the second Careers Conference
following year.
This unexpected windfall of money was the perfect shot in the arm that the Society needed because it arrived after a year of high fund
in the Charing Cross hotel on the Strand, and introduced the first exhibition fee. The income generated more than covered the total cost of the event which allowed the Society
to create its firm surplus from the selling of a service.
Taking the income from exhibition fees and from the sale of the first book, the Society had demonstrated to itself that it could generate income from the supply of a product and a service. This gave the team the confidence to adopt this model of income generation; and by prudent handling of this income the Society had found a model for building a sustainable project without any reliance on any government grant.
INVITING
The success of the Careers Conference also taught the Society that the objective of inviting lots of young people to one venue was a better way for engaging and inspiring them. Consequently, the approach of sending one or two volunteer role models to a school or community group to speak with a dozen or so pupils was reduced. Only when the situation demanded it would role models be deployed in this manner. By the end of 2012, the Society had proven the concept for operating a viable or self-funding product for inspiring young people to develop their potential. In the ensuing years, the Society refined the design of the inspirational events and now operated three different styles, the Careers Day, the Employability Day and the Careers Conference.
Ritchie Neil with STEP Students 2024
Congratulations to the Reach Society on their 15th Anniversary!
The Reach Society plays a vital role connecting talent from black and ethnically diverse communities to employers who recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce.
Our work with the Reach Society has enabled us to engage with thousands of young, talented people
and has helped us increase diversity in our Insight Weeks, Apprentice and Graduate programmes.
We’re proud to support the Reach Society as part of our Inclusive Futures Programme, a set of initiatives supporting black and ethnically diverse groups from the classroom to the boardroom.
The British Army Salutes The Reach Society on their 15th Anniversary
The British Army and I would like to offer our congratulations to the Reach Society on the landmark of their 15th anniversary.
Positive role models and mentorship are vital to broaden opportunities.
The partnership we are proud to have with the Reach Society allows us to highlight the professional and personal benefits available in the Army to their network, and provide a touch point to an organisation many may not be aware of, or have considered.
As an organisation committed to enabling people to thrive and celebrate their heritage whatever their background, The British Army celebrates this great achievement, and wishes the Reach Society the very best for the future.
Brigadier Karl Harris CBE