What is Young Scottish Talent ?
Young Scottish Talent (YST) is a school-based mentoring programme that matches volunteer mentors with secondary school students. Our mentors come from all walks of life. They support the young person they’re matched with through one-to-one mentoring sessions in school for a period a week. The YST programme also offers Talent Tasters – bite-sized experiences of college, university and employment.
YST supports every young person to achieve their full potential. Mentoring is a highly effective way for young people to identify and build on their strengths, achieve goals and realise their full potential. The mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust and respect. It builds confidence and helps set and achieve goals.
Our mentors help young people think about their future and focus on what they need to do to achieve their ambitions. Mentors provide careful guidance without imposing any personal ideas or opinions. They work in partnership with schools and support the young person to develop their individual skills and potential. A mentor is simply an added source of support – someone there to listen, encourage, help young people to reach their potential and to be a friend. Together, we can help young people to get the best out of school, increase their confidence, boost their qualifications, gain meaningful experiences and increase their career options after school.
What are the benefits for young people?
- Improved confidence and wellbeing
- Increased school attendance
- Improved educational performance
- Increased focus and fewer behavioural challenges
How does it work?
During S1 & S2 young people may be invited to join a weekly group work class, which is run by their Pathways Coordinator. Upon reaching S3, their Coordinator will talk with them about having a mentor. Young people tell their Pathways Coordinator the kind of mentor they would like, and we work hard to find a great match for them. Meetings take place during one school period each week and provide a regular opportunity for the young person to focus on their future, talk through any concerns or just share experiences and thoughts with their mentor.
Young people will also discuss ideas such as work experience opportunities and college and university visits with their Coordinator and mentor. All wonderful avenues to spark aspirations.
Who are MCR Pathways?
Young Scottish Talent is run by the charity, MCR Pathways; an organisation dedicated to helping young people find, grow and use their talents. We all know young people can benefit from additional one-to-one support. Our team is particularly focused on supporting young people who have been recommended by their school as having great potential to benefit from the programme.
Since the programme’s establishment in 2007, designed by young people for young people, we support pupils across the country to get the best out of their education by fulfilling their true potential.