MCR Pathways expresses sincere gratitude to Stephanie Callaghan MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill for lodging a motion of support regarding our recent expansion of mentorship services in South Lanarkshire.
The expansion to eleven further secondary schools builds on a six-year partnership with South Lanarkshire Council to ensure young people, who have had the most unfair start in life, have someone to help them find their path in life through the power of mentoring.
In that time, the partnership has delivered 16,654 volunteer mentoring hours to support 863 young people across the region to talk about the things that matter, build confidence, instil belief, awaken ambitions and expand future horizons.
The impact it can deliver for these young people, many from care-experienced and wider challenging backgrounds, is truly immeasurable in raising educational attainment, career aspiration, life-chances, and much more.
Research shows care-experienced young people who do not receive MCR Pathways mentorship support are 23% less likely to progress to college, university, or employment compared to those who do.
Moreover, further research has shown that 83% of mentored care-experienced young people stated that having a mentor improved their confidence and helped them understand their talents and strengths.
Having announced our expansion, we need greater numbers of volunteer mentors to come forward in South Lanarkshire, and we are greatly appreciative that Stephanie Callaghan MSP has lodged this motion to raise further awareness of our campaign.
Requiring no prior experience, simply commitment, a listening ear and proactive mindset, mentors, from all walks and stages in life, are provided training and support to dedicate an hour a week to support young people in schools.
We warmly invite further MSPs within the region to get behind our call for greater numbers of adults, aged over eighteen, to come forward to dedicate an hour a week to mentor a young person.
Please contact our Engagement and Policy Team to find out more about supporting our work.
Find out more about becoming a mentor.
