PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday 25 June 2025
Charity partnership launching community mentoring service for young people in Kilmarnock
MCR Pathways and CentreStage will launch a new service ensuring young people in East Ayrshire have someone to help them to find their path to realise their potential, through the power of mentoring.
The award-winning MCR Pathways school-based mentoring model is expanding into the community, with CentreStage staff trained as coordinators to provide consistent, relationship-based support to young people within a trusted local setting from August.
This community approach aims to boost young people’s confidence, ambition, and outcomes—improving school attendance, attainment, and post-school destinations, within a community where, according to the Office for National Statistics, traditionally, youth unemployment rates (16-24) are higher than the Scottish average.
Evidence compiled by the charity demonstrates how effective and transformational mentoring proves in addressing levels of young people from care experienced, wider challenging circumstances and adversity, falling into the not in education, employment or training (NEET) category.
The charity’s Impact Report published last year showed that 82% of care experienced young people who engaged in the charity’s programme in Scotland progressed to college, university or employment, compared to 61% national average.
Moving beyond the school day into a more flexible, evening-based community model will provide opportunities for local adults, from all walks of life, careers and experiences to volunteer as mentors as the service develops.
Sharon McIntyre, MCR Pathways Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’re delighted to have established a partnership with CentreStage to deliver an exciting new community based personalised relationship based mentoring service in Kilmarnock, offering greater flexibility, improved access to mentoring, wider reach, integrated support and stronger local connections to help young people realise their amazing potential and create their own positive futures.
“Our message to young people is that wherever you are, we want mentoring to be available to support you. A trusted adult mentor helps build confidence, provides a listening ear and life experience and understands your worries and dreams, helping you to move toward to realising the fulfilling future you want. Having someone who shows up, listens without judgment, and believes in you—through all of life’s ups and downs —can be the first step toward exciting change and new possibilities.”
CentreStage Founder, Fiona McKenzie OBE said: “Our partnership with MCR Pathways will give young people the consistent, meaningful mentorship they deserve—building confidence, connection and a sense of possibility that will shape their futures. We could not be more delighted to be working together to introduce this truly life-changing community -based model to East Ayrshire.”
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For further information, please contact gary.seath@mcrpathways.org.
About MCR Pathways –
An unfair start in life can cause young people to lose direction.
MCR Pathways is dedicated to ensuring that every young person—particularly those who are care-experienced or facing wider challenges and adversity—have someone to help them find their path. These individuals face significant disparities in outcomes compared to their peers. Mentoring has the power to change that. In partnership with schools, local authorities, and businesses, MCR Pathways trains mentors from all walks of life to provide guidance, encouragement, and support. Just one hour a week with a mentor can build confidence, unlock potential, and make a lasting impact on a young person’s future. mcrpathways.org
About CentreStage –
The Arts are at the heart of CentreStage. Productions from musical theatre, drama and live music to dance and comedy are staged year-round at its venue-the historic former Kilmarnock Academy. The charity’s vision is for a society where everyone can realise their potential and achieve their hopes and aspirations, regardless of their circumstances and background. Its values of Hope, Joy, Inclusion and Aspiration, underpin all that it does, creating places where everyone is welcome, where everyone has their own story and everyone has the potential to grow. https://www.centrestagemt.org.uk/
