MCR Pathways welcomed Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton and Paul O’Kane MSP for West of Scotland to Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh on 07 March.
The visit provided an opportunity to find out more about how the charity is working to ensure young people, who have experienced the most unfair start in life, have someone to find their path, through the power of mentoring.
To get the visit off to the best possible start, the MSPs were treated to complimentary coffees from the new Barista Cafe in school, proudly run by its pupils.
Attention then turned to discussions with the MCR Pathways team and senior staff from Hermitage Academy regarding how the charity delivers mentoring services within the school, the positive impact achieved, our work in delivering The Promise and future plans to explore further service delivery models within the region.
Reinforcing the importance of wider partnerships in achieving collaborative and social impact, the visiting MSPs had the opportunity to also meet representatives from Developing the Young Workforce & Skills Development Scotland.
It was then time to meet a group of S1 and S2 pupils participating in a group working session who shared their views regarding what they’d like to see in their communities, such as more frequent transport, accessible health care services, and much more.
To conclude the visit, the MSPs met with a group of mentors and the young people they are presently mentoring within the school, who learned more about the importance of establishing rapport, the wider mentorship journey, awakening ambition, and mutual benefits.
We express our sincere thanks to MSPs Jackie Baillie and Paul O’Kane for coming along to learn more about our work and impact achieved in the West of Scotland.
