In August, Glasgow City Council unveiled one of the country’s biggest Public and Social Partnership agreements. Yesterday’s announcement by the Council to commit 10% of the workforce to become YGT mentors is a massive endorsement and first by any Local Authority nationally and internationally.
The agreement in August was groundbreaking in itself. Seeing the profound, life-changing difference having a mentor makes to a disadvantaged young person, the Education Authority will take on the YGT programme in three years’ time. This will become the norm in supporting care experienced and disadvantaged young people across Glasgow.
Yesterday’s (18th January) announcement cements the Council’s commitment to YGT even further! In a move that will support the city’s most vulnerable young people, GCC has made a phenomenal pledge. The New Year commitment, outlined by Annemarie O’Donnell, Glasgow City Council’s Chief Executive, is to attract at least 10% of the council’s workforce to our pioneering mentoring programme.
“Mentoring is making an incredible difference to the lives of some of our most disadvantaged young people and helping to close the attainment gap in the city. We’re asking staff to consider committing to one hour a week. Our workforce is very diverse. Staff have a wide range of skills and experiences that could be used to support and encourage a young person. It’s also about staff development as well as the obvious benefits to the young person,” Annemarie explained.
Iain MacRitchie, Founder of our Young Glasgow Talent programme said:
“This profound commitment by the Council really is a national and perhaps international first and major precedent. It is truly pioneering in every way and gives us a fantastic opportunity to provide every disadvantaged young person with the one-to-one relationship based support they need to flourish through school. It is hugely humbling and very motivating to see People Making Glasgow at this scale. It’s not volunteering, it is just our great City taking care of our own”.
YGT was delighted with the local and national coverage. From The Herald, to STV, to Glasgow Live, the announcement’s promotion will ensure even more Glaswegians hear about our programme and the commitment to help our city’s young people. You can read, hear and watch more of our coverage below:
We have so many more inspiring young people signing up for Young Glasgow Talent’s help. They need mentors to make a huge difference to their confidence, educational outcomes and future life chances. Can you help them? Find out more about becoming a mentor.
Can your organisation help? To become involved in our Talent Taster programme, alongside our partners such as City Building, The Herald and Wheatley Group, get involved.
We’re always looking for new mentors to reach all the new young people who are coming on board with the programme. Help us spread the word by letting your friends and family know how worthwhile mentoring can be!
