Toni Twigg, 21-year-old volunteer with the Care Inspectorate has been selected as the First Minister’s next mentee, as part of the ‘First Mentor’ initiative.

Toni, from Glasgow, will be mentored by the First Minister for one year. Run in partnership with Young Scot, the programme highlights the importance of mentoring in shaping the next generation of women leaders.

Speaking at the Advisory Council on Women and Girls in Edinburgh, the First Minister said:

“I am looking forward to getting to know Toni and working more closely with her in the year ahead. When I met Toni during the shortlisting process I was really impressed by her determination and ambition to raise awareness of care experienced young people in Scotland – an issue close to my heart.

“Toni is a passionate and intelligent young woman. I hope that working with her over the next year will help her take a step closer to achieving her goals and realising her ambitions for the future.

“In the first year of the ‘First Mentor’ initiative, I had the pleasure of mentoring Charlotte Liddell, a young mum of two from Fife. It showed me that the benefit of being a mentor was not just about sharing my own experience, but also learning from Charlotte’s. That was an incredibly valuable experience and I look forward to hearing more about the issues that affect Scotland’s younger generations from Toni in the year ahead.”

Ms Twigg said: “Having been in the care system myself, I am passionate about raising the profile of care experienced young people and, through this experience as the First Minister’s mentee, I hope to help break the stigma that often surrounds them.”

Ms Liddell, who was the first woman to benefit from the programme in 2017, said: “Having this unique opportunity has changed my life and the outcome of such opportunity has been positive. I’m over the moon for Toni and I can’t wait to see the amazing things she and the First Minister get up to.”

Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said:

“Mentoring is such a powerful learning process, for both the mentee and mentor. We are delighted that the First Minister is continuing her commitment to young people in this, the Year of Young People 2018, and leading by example in how mentoring can support gender equality. Toni is a remarkable young woman and we look forward to all she will achieve and contribute as ‘First Mentee’.”

Background

Toni Twigg is a 21 year old Young Inspection Volunteer with the Care Inspectorate. She lives in Glasgow with her two year old son.

During the mentorship period, Toni will have a minimum of four 1:1 mentoring sessions with the First Minister, as well as a number of opportunities to shadow her at events and in meetings throughout the year.

Now in its second year, the First Mentor programme gives a young woman aged 18-23 the opportunity to be mentored by the First Minister.

To enable more young women to benefit from the programme, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce are matching the shortlisted candidates with mentors in their network. Earlier this year, the First Minister also called on other women in leadership roles to become mentors and help other women reach their potential.