Our Impact

The MCR Pathways Young Talent programme is transforming lives by helping young people realise their full potential.

3 Year Impact Evaluation

An independent evaluation undertaken by ScotCen Social Research & commissioned by The Robertson Trust, established the dramatic impact of MCR Pathways’ pioneering programme for care-experienced young people.

The three-year study, using internationally renowned research methods, showed that MCR’s relationship-based mentoring programme is transforming educational outcomes and post-school destinations for young people. In addition, the study identified quantifiable benefits in building confidence, aspirations and social skills.

Positive Destinations

We believe that school-based, MCR mentoring should be a right for all care-experienced young people. This should be backed by policy and a permanent part of the education system.

Attainment

87.7% of pupils achieved one or more SCQF Level 5 qualifications, compared with 66.8% of their non-mentored peers.

Retention Rates

On average, 70.7% of mentored pupils continued their education in S5, compared to 60.1% of non-mentored pupils in the study.

*ScotCen research data from 3 year assessment, 2015-2018

This independent research assessed the impact of mentoring on care-experienced young people’s educational outcomes and shows the dramatic improvements and success in all three quantitative outcomes.

Young people also praised their mentors for being non-judgemental and the wider programme was praised for its highly personalised matching process, which enables young people and mentors to build a comfortable and trusting relationship.

Both the qualitative and quantitative findings of the report provide overwhelming evidence that MCR Pathways’ mentoring programme has significantly increased the educational outcomes for care-experienced young people and had a positive effect on both the young people and mentors.

Additional Benefits to Young People

Young people who are listened to, and are supported, will thrive. Mentoring has been shown to make a life-changing difference in:

Confidence & Relationships

Education & Employment

Inspiring Young People

Progress & Impact

MCR supports young people across Scotland, including: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Perth & Kinross, Shetland, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.

In 2021 MCR Pathways expanded to England, specifically in schools across the Hertfordshire and Surrey regions.

We work in partnership with each of the local authorities in which we operate and are delighted to have the backing of our funders as we grow across the United Kingdom.

Young people supported through mentoring, group work and MCR Pathways Coordinators.

1000

Number of young people MCR Pathways are working to reach with mentoring.

5000

Number of schools MCR Pathways is currently operating in.

Our Stories

Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing real stories from our young people before, and after mentoring. It would be easy to stop reading. It would be even easier to have never started and to ignore the challenges our young people face. It’s easy to ignore that just an hour of your time a week could turn a young person’s life around.

But every day we hear from the young people we help and the positive impact mentoring has had on their life. We also hear from our mentors who tell us that despite the challenge, it’s worth it. These stories are why we’re so passionate about what we do, and why you should be too.

Mona's Story

Rodrigo's Story

What Our Young People Say

Mentoring has helped me open up more. When I first started meeting my mentor, I didn't really say much and I was quiet. But now that I speak to her every week, I have started opening up to teachers and speaking more in class. I don't really see her as a mentor, but a friend.

Young Person

Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen

My mentor is very understanding and it's good to have someone to talk to. She feels more of a friend than a mentor. It feels like I've known her for a long time even though I haven't known her for that long.

Young Person

Marriotts School, Hertfordshire

For me, the best thing about having a mentor is that you have someone who's 100% on your side, and just wants to help and support you to do as well as you can. Having that support is really valuable and has helped me feel way less nervous about the process of leaving school and applying to college.

Young Person

Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh