The school-based mentoring programme, MCR Pathways, hopes to recruit and train more volunteer mentors in the coming months to help more young people in Shetland who have experienced disadvantage.
MCR Pathways is a national programme, which established a local base at Anderson High School in March 2020. Despite the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, local programme mentors have continued to give support, to listen to and encourage the young people with whom they’ve been matched. This has mostly been done through video calls, but mentors have recently been able to meet their young person for socially distanced walks, which has made conversation easier.
In an example of the strength of the programme, one current pupil spoke of their enjoyment when meeting with their mentor:
“When I started high school, I was anxious about talking to people my own age and was nervous about beginning a conversation. My mentor and I have similar interests and I find it really easy to chat to her, and talk about things. I really look forward to our meetings and wish they were longer.”
No qualifications are required to mentor, just the desire to help and be there for their young person. MCR asks volunteers to give one hour per week for at least one school year, ideally two. Full training will be given for any new mentors, to allow them to be able to provide the best support they can.
Rebekah MacLeod, MCR Pathways Coordinator at Anderson High School, said: “It’s been a difficult time for so many young people during this pandemic and this has really tested their resilience. Now more than ever, young people in Shetland need that little bit of extra support.
"Becoming a mentor is such a rewarding experience for both the young person and the mentor as well. We really want to hear from anyone who can give up just an hour a week to help a young person realise their talents and abilities, and potentially change their lives. All you have to do is be there and care.”
There is more information online about the MCR Pathways programme or to register as a mentor
Notice for Editors
On 24 March 2021, the Scottish Government announced £19.4M of funding to support the expansion of the MCR Pathways mentoring programme in Scotland, as part of the post-Covid response: