The Youth Start Mentoring Project supports young people who are at risk of social exclusion, by recruiting volunteers from the community to work one-to-one with the young people. The project provides support for young people in sixth forms/schools and colleges across south London.  We are currently working with young people aged 11-17 years old. They are referred by schools and various agencies, e.g. Connexions, Youth Service, as well as parents/carers, and young people can make self-referrals.

In the last year:

88% of young people mentored have shown increased self-confidence
94% of young people mentored have attended and enjoyed school or college
89% of young people mentored have achieved personal and social development
46% of young people mentored that took GCSEs or SATS showed a raised level of attainment (not all took GCSEs or SATS)

Young people are usually because they may be truanting, or have poor attendance; be at risk of exclusion from school; have poor punctuality; or have low self-esteem or self-confidence.

“My mentor has helped me by giving me advice on study skills; but what I needed the most was someone to talk to – and that is what I got – a non-judgmental person who is willing to listen to me for a couple of hours every-so-often so that my mind doesn’t simply implode with all the thoughts I have flying around in there.” Mentee

“My mentor has helped me to learn how to control my temper and to talk openly about situations. My mentor has helped me to appreciate the importance of education, the need to learn and head in a straight path.”  Mentee

“Without KMEBP I don’t really know where our grandson or the family would be today. We love our grandson very much and do our best to support and be there for him, but goodness me, it’s been a struggle and still ongoing; but the team at KMEBP have been there for us on more than one occasion. Their kindness, patience, understanding and helpfulness are second to none.” Carer 

“I will always be indebted to my mentee for the subtle and inescapable lessons that he taught me in our times together, for he has contributed enormously to my own insight and growth. It really is amazing what you gain when you give.” Mentor 

"KMEBP has helped me by choosing a mentor for me who has helped to make me more confident and able to communicate better. She is a great help. She is more than a mentor to me – she has been a friend as well.” Mentee

Here are a couple of case studies showing the benefits that young people have gained by taking part in mentoring (please note the names have been changed to maintain confidentiality):  

HELENA  Helena is a 13 year old female student of mixed heritage who lives with her mother and older sister.  Her parents are separated and she has found this a difficult situation with which to cope.  Support required from a KMEBP mentor included emotional support, coping strategies for difficult times and raising self-esteem.  

Helena was matched with a white female mentor in February 2007 and the focus of their meetings has been mainly issues surrounding friends and family.    Helena had experienced difficulties in controlling her temper, but working with her mentor she has been able to develop strategies to “avoid being dragged into arguments with friends”. 

Helena has reported that she “loved the sessions” and liked the way that she could talk to her mentor about things that she could never tell anyone else. 

IVAN Ivan is a 17 year old white male who was referred at the age of 14 because he lacked social skills with peers and difficulties with his hand writing when under pressure.  Support required from a KMEBP mentor was primarily to help in improving Ivan’s confidence.   Ivan was originally matched with a white female mentor in May 2005 and that relationship has been sustained through different streams of funding.  

In June 07 Ivan reported that the mentoring had been fantastic and that he felt that his mentor had helped him a great deal with building his confidence and helping him to explore his options and look at careers.  The link teacher reported that he had used successful coping strategies for dealing with teachers and peers.  She also informed KMEBP that Ivan had shown increased self-esteem and self-confidence and had volunteered to speak in front of the class about future plans.  He also demonstrated increased levels of attainment, particularly in English, which was helped by his improved confidence.  Ivan has now left the sixth form and has started college. 

FOR CURRENT MENTORS:

Training available:

Child Protection - Delivered by Merton Area Child Protection Committee:

Mentoring -  New dates to be confirmed

Be sure not to miss the next networking evening - contact Mary mary@kmebp.org.uk for the date. This development and social gathering is an enjoyable and informal forum for mentors to mingle, exchange ideas, discuss any burning issues and much much more which you would not want to miss!  Refreshments will be provided.

 If you are interested in attending any of these events, then contact the mentoring team