A new Mentoring Programme has been introduced in St. John’s Marlborough, Pewsey Vale School and will soon spread to Devizes School and other schools in Wiltshire.
Funded by The Careers and Enterprise Company and coordinated by the Careers South West Group, the scheme supports young people aged 13 – 15 who have been identified as being able to benefit from the support of a business mentor.
The Mentoring Programme is designed to raise aspirations, provide young people with life skills, improve confidence and inspire success. By significantly raising aspirations it is possible to close the aspiration-attainment gap.
A network of mentors is being recruited from the world of business and industry and has already attracted volunteers from The Nationwide Building Society and the Armed forces. Their skills will be matched to individual students so that they can help these young people, many of who will be disadvantaged, to fulfil their potential and gain a brighter future.
Mentors are given full training and support. There is a minimum commitment of 6 hours per student over 2 school terms.
Bob Holman from The Food Gallery told marlborough.news : “I chose to mentor young people so that there is someone who cares about them. The fact that they have a constant male person to talk to (my mentees are all boys) I feel is critical to their lives. Additionally, they now understand that they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and this fact alone should make them feel like they matter.“
“I want to provide a powerful and positive effect to my mentees in their personal and academic lives.”
“Already, with just three meetings with each mentee, I am being told of positive outcomes in each of their school lives. This is fantastic news.”
Sheena Awdry, Mentoring Project Co-ordinator, said: “Mentoring produces amazing results, all young people deserve the very best we can offer them regardless of their personal circumstances and I am very pleased to be involved in this inspiring project.”
Potential mentors may be currently in business or recently retired and only need to need to offer as little as one hour per month. CSW Group will offer any training and support that they may require, carry out a DBS check and match them to appropriate students.
If you feel you could help please contact Sheena.Awdry@cswgroup.co.uk