More young people across the Highlands will soon have access to the support of a trusted adult as MCR Pathways expands its award-winning mentoring programme into new schools in the region.

MCR Pathways expands into Tain Royal Academy and Thurso High School. 

The charity is now inviting people from across the region to become volunteer mentors and help change a young person’s future, while discovering how mentoring can transform their own life too.

The charity’s mentoring programme will launch at Tain Royal Academy and Thurso High School in August, building on its growing presence across Highland communities and creating new opportunities for young people to thrive with the support of a trusted adult volunteer mentor.

The expansion marks another significant milestone in MCR Pathways’ continued growth across Scotland and its vision that every young person who needs one has a trusted adult volunteer mentor to help them see their potential and find a path to a positive future. 

It also brings the charity closer to its long-term ambition of establishing a Trusted Adult Guarantee across Scotland, ensuring every young person who would benefit from consistent guidance, encouragement and belief can access the support they deserve. By embedding mentoring within schools and communities, MCR Pathways is helping create a future where no young person has to navigate life’s challenges and opportunities alone.

To help make that vision a reality, MCR Pathways is calling on adults from all walks of life, careers and experiences across the Highlands—including Tain, Alness, Invergordon, Dingwall, Thurso, Wick and surrounding communities—to become volunteer mentors in time for the new school term.

Every young person deserves someone in their corner

Every young person has strengths, talents and ambitions. Yet for many, navigating school, overcoming personal challenges and making decisions about the future can feel overwhelming without someone consistently in their corner.

A trusted adult mentor provides that support.

By spending just one hour each week with a young person during term time, volunteer mentors build meaningful relationships that develop confidence, self-belief, resilience and ambition.

Those relationships empower young people to overcome barriers, broaden their horizons and move into positive destinations, including further education, apprenticeships, training and employment.

No previous mentoring experience or specialist qualifications are required.

MCR Pathways provides comprehensive training and ongoing support throughout the mentoring journey, making volunteering flexible enough to fit around work, family and other commitments.

While mentoring transforms the lives of young people, many volunteers say the experience transforms them too. Through the trusted relationships they build, mentors often gain fresh perspectives, develop new skills and confidence, and discover a renewed sense of purpose.

It’s a rewarding journey where both mentor and young person grow together, learning from one another and creating a relationship that can have a lasting impact on both lives.

Expanding opportunities across the Highlands

The introduction of MCR Pathways’ programme at Tain Royal Academy and Thurso High School represents more than the launch of mentoring in two schools. It strengthens a growing network of support across the Highlands, helping ensure more young people can experience the life-changing impact of having a trusted adult in their corner.

Abby Lucas, Programme Manager for Highland and the Western Isles at MCR Pathways, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing the MCR Pathways mentoring programme to both Tain Royal Academy and Thurso High School. Across our Highland schools, we see every day the positive impact a trusted adult can have. Having someone who listens, encourages and supports young people as they navigate exams, make decisions about further education or careers, and prepare for life beyond school can make a lasting difference to their confidence and future.

“Communities across the Highlands have a proud tradition of looking out for one another, and we’re continually inspired by local people who choose to give something back. Becoming a mentor is a rewarding opportunity to help a young person realise their potential. You don’t need to have all the answers—you simply need the willingness to listen, encourage and be there consistently.”

Sarah Paterson, Deputy Head Teacher at Tain Royal Academy, said: “We are delighted to be launching MCR Pathways at Tain Royal Academy. Having seen this programme in action in other schools, I know the huge benefits it will bring to our young people. Having strong and consistent relationships with a trusted adult helps them navigate school life and progress to sustained positive destinations.”

Mentoring that changes futures

Across the Highlands, mentoring is already making a measurable difference.

During the last academic year, 275 young people participated in MCR Pathways mentoring sessions across the region.

In the charity’s latest participant survey:

• 99% of young people said their mentor was a good role model.
• 98% said mentoring helped them become the best version of themselves.
• 95% said the experience improved their confidence.

Behind every statistic is a young person whose future has been changed through the support of a trusted adult.

One young person said: “My mentor has a lot of life experience and has pushed me to try my best no matter the circumstances.”

Another added: “Having a mentor is great for lots of things like confidence, having someone to talk to and helping decide career paths and make choices.”

You could be the trusted adult who changes a life

Since 2007, MCR Pathways has supported around 18,000 young people across Scotland through the power of mentoring.

Today, the charity delivers its award-winning programme in 163 secondary schools, further education and community settings across 22 local authorities, connecting young people with trusted adult volunteer mentors who help them build confidence, self-belief and ambition.

Liz Fraser, Partnership Manager (North), said: “Many people have far more to offer than they realise. Simply giving one hour a week can help a young person build confidence, believe in themselves and see new possibilities for their future. We’d encourage adults from every background and profession to consider becoming a mentor and make a lasting difference in their local community.”

As MCR Pathways continues to grow across the Highlands, more volunteer mentors are needed to ensure every young person referred to the programme can benefit from the consistent support of a trusted adult.

Whether you’re working, retired, studying or volunteering elsewhere, you could be the person who helps a young person recognise their strengths, believe in their potential and take the next step towards a positive future.

Every new volunteer mentor brings us one step closer to a future where every young person who needs one has a trusted adult in their corner. By giving just one hour a week, you could help a young person discover what’s possible—while discovering just how rewarding mentoring can be yourself.

Become a volunteer mentor

If you live or work in the Highlands and can give just one hour a week during term time, we’d love to hear from you.

By becoming a volunteer mentor, you’ll join hundreds of volunteers already helping young people build brighter futures through the power of a trusted relationship.

Together, we can help every young person see their potential and find a path to a positive future.

Find out more: mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor