Since joining The Smallpeice Trust in 2023 as a STEM Engagement Specialist, Tai has seen first-hand the powerful impact the charity has on young people through STEM outreach, courses, and programmes such as the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships. Passionate about inspiring the next generation, he reflects on the Trust’s mission to help young people become the changemakers of tomorrow and the lasting difference these opportunities can make. Here’s his story.
When did you first join the Smallpeice Trust, and what drew you to it?
September 2023. I had finished my degree and wasn’t sure what to do next. From a young age I’d been involved in STEM outreach and really enjoyed inspiring people, so I decided to explore what opportunities existed in the sector. I came across The Smallpeice Trust and began my time here as one of our STEM Engagement Specialists.
What’s changed the most since you started?
Creating a unified vision for the Trust. A key thing we did in 2024 was fleshing out our charity’s mission and vision, something that every member of the Trust was involved in and fed into. By the end, we had a new mission, vision, and goal that we all understood, believed in, and could work towards: inspiring the young people of today to become the changemakers of tomorrow.
What are you most proud of as we celebrate 60 years?
The impact the Trust has had on so many young people’s lives. There are so many people I’ve met or run into at industry events who tell me they went on Smallpeice courses or that they used to be an Arkwright Scholar. It’s incredible to see the long‑reaching effects we have on young people’s lives and to truly know that what we do makes a difference. The Smallpeice Trust is so many things to so many people that it’s almost impossible to describe. Starting my time here as one of our STEM Engagement Specialists, I was able to see the impact we were having every single day when engaging with young people. It gave me a really strong foundation in what we do and why it matters so much.
Tai is proud to be part of a charity that continues to inspire and support young people through STEM opportunities and outreach. He looks forward to helping The Smallpeice Trust continue its mission of building a brighter future for the next generation of engineers, innovators, and changemakers.
Inspired by this story? Now read ours.