The much-loved highlight of the annual Shaping Portsmouth Conference, Shaped by Solent, has returned. This unique and inspiring programme brings together Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) students with a wide range of local businesses to collaborate, create, and develop meaningful real-world outcomes. It is a project that not only celebrates creativity and innovation, but also supports students to build confidence, independence, and future-ready skills.
We are inviting passionate and supportive individuals to join us as mentors. In this role, you will work closely with a team of students, guiding them as they develop ideas, design products, and explore entrepreneurial thinking. Mentors play a key role in helping students strengthen their problem-solving abilities, build resilience, develop important life skills, provide encouragement, positivity, and a sense of connection, creating an environment where students feel valued and motivated.
As a mentor, you will begin with a pre-visit to meet your allocated student team and start building a strong working relationship. You will then deliver a series of four sessions, supporting the students throughout their journey from concept to creation. Additional support may be requested depending on the needs of the group. To ensure you feel confident and prepared, you will also be invited to attend an onboarding training day. This session will provide a clear overview of the programme, as well as the opportunity to hear from experienced mentors and ask any questions you may have.
Last year’s programme saw 12 teams take part from the Mary Rose Trust, City of Portsmouth College, and Havant and South Downs College. Students worked on a brief themed around the Portsmouth 100 centenary celebrations, producing a wide range of creative and thoughtful products. Team Wildings from Mary Rose Cranewater, mentored by Nick Gibson, secured the overall win for the second time, while City of Portsmouth College Postcard immersive team, mentored by Rod Sessions achieved the best presentation award. The winning product is currently in the process of being mass produced and will soon be available for sale at the Spinnaker Tower.
As part of this year’s brief, students will design and develop products that will be manufactured and sold at the Shaped by Solent Pop-Up Shop during the annual conference. All profits from sales will go directly to the participating trusts, colleges, or a charity chosen by the students. During the conference, delegates will vote for their favourite product, with one team being selected as the overall winner. The winning product will then have the opportunity to be mass produced and sold through an established Portsmouth outlet, creating a lasting legacy and further supporting the organisations involved.
Rod Sessions, Commercial Director at Hampshire Flag Company, who mentored a team from City of Portsmouth College in 2025, said “This has got to be one of the most rewarding things I and we as a business have undertaken. Getting to work with the students, understand their complex needs but be able to demonstrate the real world workings of commerce has been a challenge. However this has given me new levels of understanding and skills that I would never have had otherwise. Seeing the joy and pleasure the students get from seeing there vision coming to life is a real pleasure.”
We are looking for up to 15 mentors, with places offered on a first come, first served basis. If you are concerned about time commitments, you also have the option to co-mentor alongside a colleague. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference while being part of a collaborative and inspiring project. If you would like to take part, please complete the sign-up form and we will be in touch with the next steps.