What is your name and what do you do?
My name is Gillian Henderson. I’m a designer and co-founder of Jill & Gill.
Creative learning at the second level is extremely important. At its core, creativity is about problem-solving. It also teaches students how to learn from mistakes and develop resilience. When students understand that failure is part of growth, they gain confidence and develop stronger ideas over time.
To me, mentoring is about sharing tools and guidance that help others find their own path to success. It’s about empowering young people to explore their potential and develop their confidence.
The mentoring experience is unique because mentors receive a wide range of ideas from students across the country. We review their concepts and provide feedback. Then the students refine their work and return with new solutions. This process continues until the final showcase, where their ideas really come to life.
The most important aspect is bringing students on a journey and helping them build confidence. When students see that professionals believe in their ideas, it encourages them to think bigger and push further.
One of the biggest takeaways is how much we learn from students. Their fresh perspectives and ideas help us grow too. Working with a younger generation brings new insights that are both inspiring and valuable.
Absolutely. If I had experienced a programme like this in school, it would have helped me recognise that my perspective and imagination were valuable creative strengths.
Yes, the experience was very supportive. From peer connections to online engagement, you could see the programme evolving and growing. It was incredible to be part of something so positive.
Always. As designers, we naturally want to connect with people and share ideas. Having a platform like this to support young people and collaborate with others makes that even more meaningful.
