A milestone moment recognising the impact of mentoring since launching in 2019, and the lives transformed along the way.
Earlier this month, on Wednesday 3rd April, mentors, young people, school staff and MCR Pathways team members gathered to celebrate a milestone moment–five years of transformational mentoring in Edinburgh.
The event was a chance to reflect on all that has been achieved since the programme was launched in Edinburgh in 2019. With over 26,000 volunteer hours logged, 974 young people supported, and more than 850 mentors trained and matched, it’s clear the mentoring community has left a lasting mark on lives across the city.
MCR Pathways CEO’, Sharon McIntyre, welcomed attendees with a powerful reminder of the difference that just one hour a week can make. She also shared highlights from the past five years, celebrating the mentors, young people and schools who have helped bring the programme to life.
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing from mentor Seonaid Gow, who reflected on her three-year mentoring journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
“I first heard about MCR Pathways in a previous role as a School Coordinator with DYW in 2020… I could see the challenges that young people were facing on a daily basis, and wanted to see if I could play even a small part in supporting someone, so I signed up to be a mentor myself.”
Seonaid spoke about the strength of the programme, from the training and matching process to the dedication of Pathways Coordinators who “truly care about the young people they are supporting.” But it was her mentee, Valerie, who she credits most.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Valerie grow over the last 3 years from a fairly quiet S3 pupil who was unsure what they wanted to do when they left school, to now a head student, very sought after musician, amazing dancer and with a uni offer to start her studies towards being a nurse in the future.”
Her words captured the heart of the programme and echoed what the stats continue to show. 87% of mentored care-experienced young people achieved 5 or more qualifications at Level 4, significantly above the national average of 61.2%. And 96% of mentored young people moved on to a positive destination after school, compared to 87.9% nationally. These figures are more than statistics, they’re real lives changed through mentoring.
Seonaid closed her speech with a message that resonated with everyone in the room.
“To sum up, in case you haven’t already guessed, I can’t recommend mentoring enough… it has taught me the importance of listening, of being curious and questioning in the right way, and it has taught me patience… I’m very proud to have played a small part in Valerie’s journey.”
Today, 441 young people are actively participating in the MCR programme across Edinburgh, whether through group work or one-to-one mentoring. As the programme continues to grow, it remains rooted in a simple but powerful mission: until every young person has someone to help them find their way.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a mentor, there’s never been a better time. Join the hundreds already making a difference. Just one hour a week could change a life, maybe even your own.
Visit mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor to learn more.
