Bridge the Gap | MCR Pathways Strategic Plan 2025–2028
Together, We Transform Lives Through the Power of Mentoring
Every young person has incredible potential. But for too many, an unfair start in life can hold that potential back.
A trusted adult relationship can change everything.
We believe every young person deserves someone in their corner. Someone who listens, believes in them, and helps them discover what they’re truly capable of. That’s the power of mentoring.
That passion to achieve transformational change burns brighter than ever. We are determined, and deeply committed to supporting every young person in finding a brighter future.
Our vision is simple but powerful.
That’s ensuring every young person who needs support can find it wherever they are. When that happens, young people are defined by their talents, drive and ambition, not their circumstances.
Our new strategy, Bridge the Gap, sets out how we’ll reach more young people than ever before — expanding mentoring to every community, deepening impact,connection and strengthening the foundations that make lasting change possible.
Together with mentors, partners and supporters, we’re working until everyone has someone.
Our new strategy is all about helping more young people, like Aaron, Phoebe and Nathan to find paths to brighter futures.
Our Strategic Priorities
Our strategic plan focuses on four priorities — each designed to unlock potential and create lasting change.
Expand Reach
We will be there for every young person who needs us, wherever they are. Our priority is to expand our reach so that no young person is ever left without the support of a trusted adult to find a brighter future.
Deepen Impact
Ensure young people, mentors, supporters and partners feel valued and empowered. Strengthening these connections is vital to achieving success. Our priority is to build a community where everyone feels seen, supported and inspired — a network of human connections that grows stronger with every story shared.
Foundations
Strengthen our foundations that support everything we do. Our priority is to foster innovation, inclusivity and evidence-driven action. By spending with purpose and aligning every resource to impact, we’ll build a stronger, more adaptable MCR ready for the future.
Collaborative Power
Amplifying our collective voice. Our priority is to harness collective influence — ensuring mentoring is recognised as essential in tackling inequality, unlocking opportunity and creating space for young voices to drive real system change.
Our new strategy is all about helping more mentors, like Phil, Howard and Becca, to change lives through the power of mentoring.
What Success Will Look Like
Success means every young person who needs a mentor has one.
It means thriving schools, confident young people, fulfilled mentors and partnerships that make a difference in every community.
Our plan includes clear measures of success — from wellbeing and attainment to the growth of mentoring networks and stronger collaboration — ensuring every connection counts.
Expand Reach
Support an additional 2000 young people into mentored relationships across the UK.
Deepen Impact
Achieve an annual mentor and partner retention rate of 75% or higher ensuring consistent support for young people.
Foundations
Collaborative Power
90% of key decisions are shaped by the voices of young people and mentors – creating a movement t where shared insight drives lasting change.
We’ll continue strengthening collaborative power with more partners to change more lives through mentoring.
Social Media Toolkit | Help Amplify Our Mission Louder Than Ever
Our new strategic ambition has an altogether different voltage to anything that has gone before and we need your help to amplify it louder than ever before. This is our moment to be fearless. To be bold and tenacious. Together, we will become unstoppable in achieving our ambition.
Download our toolkit resources. Spread the word across social media. Encourage everyone to commit to ensuring every young person has someone
to guide them on a path to a brighter future.
We have lots of social squares, stories, videos and messages primed and ready to download. Don’t forget to tag us in and use our #BridgeTheGap hashtag.
What’s Your Role In Achieving Our Mission?
Our strategic plan is a shared roadmap for achieving profound social change – a journey led by young people, mentors and partners. It is built on the belief that we only achieve our destination when we work together.
We understand that we will not arrive at our destination alone. Partnerships and wider collaboration with like-minded, passionate organisations and individuals are vital sparks in igniting this change.
We are committed to listening and learning from everyone. We welcome your insight, expertise and passion to help us realise our vision.
Until everyone has someone. Join us in igniting the vital spark.