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Anti-Poverty

Volunteer Mentors (Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Schools)

  • MCR Pathways (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
  • VO85240

Description

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help...

MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational.

The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored.

We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies.

Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly

The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life.

Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school.

The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis.

We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime.

Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/

For any further details please contact us at email: aberdeen@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeen City) or email: aberdeenshire@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeenshire).
Or telephone us on 07709249661.

Organisation aims and objectives

Our vision is that every care-experienced and disadvantaged young person in Scotland gets the same education outcomes, career opportunities and life chances as every other young person.

Availability

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Flexible times available during school hours (Volunteer Mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week). All help is greatly appreciated.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible times available during school hours (Volunteer Mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week). All help is greatly appreciated.

Restrictions

Experience required: You don’t need any qualifications to get involved. Our mentors come from all walks of life, many with no previous experience of working with young people. What is required is desire to be a supportive adult who takes an interest in the life and education of a young person, someone who can offer encouragement, share knowledge and life experiences and help a young person to realise their full potential.
Travel details: Training is delivered online and mentoring usually takes place once a week, in school, during school time/term time . Mentoring at present is being delivered virtually as due to Covid restrictions mentors cannot visit schools, however face to face mentoring will resume when possible. All mentoring is facilitated by an MCR Pathways Co-ordinator who is a member of the school team.
Minimum age: 23

Support

Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Last updated a month ago

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