Goal 17's First Mentor Shares Her Story at Kent Business Awards
Dec 05, 2024
Ending 2024 Awards Season on a High: A Double Win at the Kent Business Awards
As we stepped onto the stage last night to accept two incredible awards—Small Business of the Year and Business Woman of the Year for our founder, Fran Boorman—it felt like coming full circle.
The Kent Business Awards hold special meaning for us because Kent is where Goal 17 was born. Standing beside us at the event was someone who has been part of our journey since the very beginning in 20218, Sharon Bowdery.
Sharon was one of our first-ever mentors, volunteering on a Goal 17 Mentoring programme sponsored by FM Conway Ltd and delivered in partnership with the West Ham United Foundation. Her story is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—and why these awards aren’t just about us.
Sharon’s Story: The Power of Mentoring
When Sharon joined Goal 17, she was matched with Jacob, a young man who had been written off by many. But Sharon wouldn’t give up on him. She built trust, formed a bond, and started to break through barriers that others couldn’t.
One conversation stands out: Jacob told us that Sharon helped him realise he wanted change. More importantly, she helped him understand that he needed to change to make that happen. Teachers had told him this. Social workers had told him this. But it was Sharon who got through, sparking a chain reaction of positivity in his life.
Sharon describes the experience humbly:
“Being one of the first mentors with Goal 17 was an incredible experience—it showed me how small actions can create life-changing impacts.”
Like many of our mentors, Sharon might feel that her contribution was small. In terms of time, it was. But the impact was transformational.
Celebrating Full Circle
Sharon has stayed closely connected to Goal 17, and last night was there to celebrate our success—not just as a supporter, but as our Mental Health First Aider, now helping to shape our mental health strategy.
Reflecting on the night, Sharon said:
“It’s been amazing to stay involved and see Goal 17 go from strength to strength. Watching Fran and the team pick up not one but two awards was so special. You’re transforming lives every day!”
For us, having Sharon by our side last night felt like more than a celebration. It was a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come—from mentoring programmes like the one Sharon joined, to scaling nationally while staying rooted in our purpose.
A Call to Action: Be More Sharon!
These awards aren’t just about trophies—they’re about the community of mentors, team members, and partners who make Goal 17 what it is. And as we prepare to launch our next big mentoring programme in Kent, we’re inviting more people to join us.
Sharon’s story shows how mentoring changes lives—not just for mentees like Jacob, but for the mentors themselves. Her journey reminds us that small actions can have extraordinary impacts.
So, why not be more Sharon? Step forward as a volunteer mentor or supporter and see how you can make a difference in your community.
A huge thank you to the Kent Business Awards, to Sharon, to our team, and to every person who has supported us along the way. Together, we’re proving that meaningful change starts with ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
