We’re proud to announce that we are launching in five more schools across Argyll and Bute, significantly expanding our award-winning programme that has been active in the region since 2023. These new schools—Campbeltown Grammar School, Tarbert Academy, Lochgilphead High School, Tobermory High School (Mull), and Islay High School—will join our four existing schools to bring relationship-based support help even more young people find a path to a brighter future.
Laura Campbell, Senior Partnerships Manager in the West of Scotland, said:
“At MCR we’re so proud of our partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, and look forward to supporting even more young people than before. In just two years, the programme has expanded to four schools, supported over 200 young people, and delivered more than 1,600 volunteer mentoring hours last academic year. But we’re not stopping there!”
For too many young people, an unfair start means navigating life’s toughest challenges alone. But mentoring builds confidence, instils belief, awakens ambitions, and expands their future horizons.
Since the launch of the programme in the region, 280 young people have been supported to believe in themselves, spark potential and awaken ambition through a combination of group work and one-to-one mentoring with a total of 6,642 volunteering hours delivered by volunteer adult mentors from all walks of life, experience and careers.
The impact of the power of mentoring on young people is clear through our most recent young person mentor survey:
- 93% of mentored young people agreed that mentoring helped them understand what they could achieve.
- 97% of mentored young people agreed that their mentor encourages them to be the best version of themselves.
- 100% of mentored young people agreed that their mentor is a positive role model.
Douglas Morgan, Hermitage Academy Head Teacher, said: “We’ve seen real benefits in a number of different areas: attendance, engagement in their classes, and their all around general well-being and about how they feel about themselves. We can see them conducting themselves in a way where just how they hold themselves, the confidence that they have to talk about how things are going in their life as well. That’s something that we are really proud of, the fact that we can see them grow in confidence day in day out.”
Jen Crocket, Head of Education – Lifelong Learning and Support at Argyll and Bute Council and MCR Pathways Trustee, said: “Argyll and Bute Council are thrilled to be expanding our MCR Pathways Mentoring Programme into five more of our secondary schools: Lochgilphead Joint Campus, Tarbert Academy, Campbeltown Grammar School as well as Islay and Tobermory High Schools.
The impact of the existing MCR Pathways’ work in four of our schools is extremely positive and we are committed to bringing such high-quality intervention to as many of our learners as possible. Our young people across Argyll and Bute deserve this opportunity to ignite their spark and our communities have the ability to drive this work by volunteering to mentor for one hour a week.”
With the launch of new schools across the region, there is an urgent need for volunteer mentors to step forward. You don’t need any specific skills or prior experience to become a mentor; all you need is a willingness to show up, be consistent and make a positive impact. Mentors dedicate just one hour each week listening to and encouraging a young person in their school, empowering them to believe in themselves and their abilities.
Mentoring not only improves a young person’s educational attainment, career aspirations, and life chances, it’s also incredibly rewarding for the mentor. Supporting someone to reach their full potential can increase your own confidence, develop communication skills, and give a deep sense of fulfilment and purpose.
There’s no better time to register as a volunteer mentor. Sign up today at mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor.
