There are lots of exciting developments in the pipeline for MCR Pathways! It’s been a milestone year for us and the young people we support, so we’re rounding it all up in our latest blog.
While this has been a tough year in so many ways, we’re happy to announce some good news that will help the young people at the heart of MCR Pathways’ vision. New Chief Executive, Graeme McEwan, has been appointed to help us reach an incredible 4,000 vulnerable young people with our support, throughout the country. Don’t worry! Our founder, Iain MacRitchie, isn’t going anywhere, he has taken on the role of Executive Chairman and will be leading the further growth of mentoring. Along with this news, we are excited to share that we’re not only now working in two new local authorities, but also expanding in Aberdeen! Here’s the full lowdown.
MCR Launches in Inverclyde and Perth & Kinross!
We’re thrilled to be supporting schools in two new areas! Our new team of Pathways Coordinators are preparing to launch group work and mentoring in three schools in Perth & Kinross and one school in Inverclyde.
All of us at MCR Pathways are delighted to bring the programme to these new regions of Scotland, and we can’t wait to start working with young people in these four new schools to find, grow and nurture their talents, as Executive Chairman, Iain MacRitchie, explains:
“We’re absolutely delighted to be launching our Young Scottish Talent programme in Perth & Kinross and Inverclyde. Our team is ready to get to work and help even more young people to realise their true potential, no matter their circumstances.
“There’s overwhelming evidence that mentors can make a life-changing difference to our most disadvantaged young people and we can’t wait to get started in these key areas of Scotland.”
MCR Appoints New CEO
We are excited to welcome Graeme McEwan to the MCR Pathways team as our new Chief Executive!
Graeme brings a wealth of experience to this position, having worked as a senior executive in a number of international companies, most recently as Chief Communications Officer at Standard Life Aberdeen.
Commenting on his appointment, Graeme McEwan spoke of his admiration for MCR Pathways, when he said:
“I was attracted to MCR because of its unique approach and effectiveness in addressing long standing issues that limit our most disadvantaged young people. Its partnership model with schools and local authorities means that support is directed to those most in need.
“The impact of the MCR Pathways programme on improving attainment levels and positive destinations for young people is outstanding.”
MCR Expands in Aberdeen
The MCR team are also proud to roll out the Young Scottish Talent programme to a further five schools in Aberdeen. Having been successfully piloted in Aberdeen’s St Machar Academy since 2018, we look forward to reaching even more young people in the city and we are keen to hear from potential mentors who could help give their time 🤜🤛.
The programme is now expanding to Dyce Academy, Harlaw Academy, Hazlehead Academy, Lochside Academy and Northfield Academy, in addition to St Machar Academy, bringing the benefits of mentoring to even more young Aberdonians.
While the initial pilot in Aberdeen was small, it still made a big difference on the young people who were supported. Chantelle Booth, a recent school leaver from St Machar and now university student, shared how MCR and mentoring has helped her – especially over lockdown.
“I think a lot of young people need to have 1:1 support through this crisis. I was lucky enough to have a caring MCR Pathways team, including my mentor who would give me regular calls through Facetime, phone calls, and recently going out on socially distanced walks with me. In isolation, mental health can easily be affected so I think it’s important that young people have someone to talk to to help them feel less alone.”
Sam Leys, Mentor Services Manager for Aberdeen, has been involved with establishing the programme in the city and couldn’t be happier to offer more young people the chance to be matched with someone who’s there to meet them each week. She says:
“Having been involved with the MCR programme in Aberdeen since 2018, it’s amazing to see the impact it’s had on St Machar Academy and now five more schools in the city will be able to see the impact of the programme and our fantastic volunteer mentors.”
Get Involved!
With the programme now developing in new local authorities and schools, we will be looking for mentors in Perth & Kinross, Inverclyde and Aberdeen in the coming months. We hope that interested volunteers will benefit from our new online sign-up process and that we will be making the first school matches before the end of 2020 – a year that’s been extremely challenging for so many young people.
Could you #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and finding their potential? Sign up to Become a Mentor using the button below. For just an hour per week, you can make a difference that lasts a lifetime.
