We recently brought our incredible volunteer mentors, young people, partner organisations and wider supporters together, to hear inspirational stories, forge new connections and celebrate collective impact achieved across the region.
Hosted by our partner organisation, D2 The Creative Centre, the night featured inspirational speeches from mentors and mentees from Bannockburn High School, Graeme High School and Falkirk High school.
Taking place as we prepare to expand into our fourth school in the area, Denny High School, we felt it was an important time to come together to celebrate the 154 young people already supported by MCR Pathways in Stirling and Falkirk, and their incredible mentors who have racked up over 1,800 mentoring hours this academic year, as well as look forward to very exciting times ahead.
Being supported by an MCR Pathways mentor is proven to have a positive effect on young people’s educational engagement and attendance, evidenced through last year’s impact report. 82% of young people engaged in the charity’s programme moved on to university, college or employment after school, compared to 69% of their non-mentored peers.
Mentorship is proven to help improve mental health and wellbeing too providing a vital foundation to realising potential too. 83% of young people said mentoring improved their confidence, and helped them to understand and identify their skills and strengths, while 85% say that mentoring makes them believe in themselves more.
MCR Pathways mentee Arron from Falkirk High, said: “My mentor and I have a really good bond. I’ve been able to tell him a lot of stuff knowing that it will be kept between us. I can talk about my concerns, my hobbies and interests, and we have a good laugh.Knowing that I have his support getting ready to go to college and knowing that I always have someone to talk to is my favourite part of being on the programme.“
Bonnie, also a mentee from Falkirk High School said: “I enjoy mentoring because it gives me a safe place to talk about my future and life without judgement and it helps me understand and navigate what’s best for me.”
Recognising the importance of school partnerships in achieving our mission and collective impact in the region, Karen Hook, headteacher at Bannockburn High School, and pictured above, delivered a powerful, emotive speech about the impact MCR Pathways mentorship programme has delivered for pupils.
“Schools now have an increased responsibility. Schools need to be much more to many more young people than they ever have before,” Karen said. “But against a backdrop of dwindling resources whilst at the same time a significantly increased level of need – how can schools possibly achieve this? The answer is they can’t – not in isolation. But Schools working in partnership with or even relying upon organisations such as MCR Pathways and the wonderful volunteer mentors that they provide – together we can improve outcomes for young people.”
“I have witnessed first-hand the impact the MCR Pathways programme has had on our young people in Bannockburn High School. When I walk around our school I often notice a mentor and young person in a quiet corner chatting away, playing a board game or laughing at something together. What the mentors offer to our young people is simple, it’s time. Time dedicated to their young person and only them, on a weekly basis to listen, support and sometimes just to be there.”
Karen went on to describe how the young people attending her school communicate the impact that mentoring has had on them. They told Karen that having someone to talk to has helped them to process negative emotions, to reduce their anxiety and help them feel more supported in their school environment. Moreover, they have also told Karen how mentoring has helped to improve their self-worth and confidence, which has positively impacted their mental health. This in turn has also inspired higher levels of motivation and engagement in their learning.
Our wider partners, integral to the success of our programme in the region, were also out en force on the evening to show their support, including representatives from Police Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, Forth Valley Sensory Centre, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the University of Stirling and the Robertson Group.
We are so thankful to our partners for all of their invaluable support, and were delighted that they could join us on the night to celebrate our collective impact.
All of which contributed to an incredible buzz in the room on the night as supporters and friends of MCR Pathways heard, first hand, the remarkable stories of our mentors and mentees. Hearing from educators about the positive impact that being on the programme has on the young people within their school serves as a reminder of why this work matters so deeply, the impact it has is noticed not only by the mentors and mentees themselves, but by the wider educational community.
However, hearing first hand accounts from our young people of the difference that their mentor has made to their lives reminds us not only why we do this work, but why it needs to continue until every young person has someone to help them find their way.
MCR Pathways will soon be launching in Denny High School, and we’re looking for volunteer mentors, from all walks of life, experiences and careers, to support young people to find their path to realising their potential.
If you have been touched by the stories from our educators and young people, you can learn more about becoming an MCR Pathways mentor by visiting https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/.
