HOW WE WORK
Mentoring built around the young person
Every young person is different. We start by finding what sparks their interest, builds their confidence and gives them a reason to engage. From there, we build momentum, trust and brighter futures.
Our approach
Finding the spark, then building from there
We take the time to understand who they are, what matters to them and what gets them engaged. From there, we build a genuine relationship and create the right environment for confidence, progress and positive change.
Relationship first
We don't start with a curriculum or a set of targets. We start by helping the young person and their mentor build a genuine relationship — one based on trust, consistency, and mutual respect. That relationship is the foundation everything else is built on.
Young person-led
Sessions are shaped by what the young person needs and wants to work on. We don't impose an agenda. We listen, we follow the young person's lead, and we help them identify and work towards their own goals.
Consistent and long-term
Short-term interventions rarely produce lasting change. We commit to young people for the long term — typically six months to a year — because we know that real change takes time, and that consistency is what makes the difference.
Whole-person support
We don't just focus on behaviour or attendance. We're interested in the whole young person — their confidence, their relationships, their sense of who they are and what they're capable of. That's what changes lives.
Connected to the wider network
Our mentors don't work in isolation. We work closely with families, schools and other professionals, sharing what we're seeing, listening to what's happening around the young person and making sure everyone is working towards the same positive outcome.
Honest about what we can't do
Mentoring can make a real difference, but it isn't everything. We're honest about what mentoring can and can't provide, and where other support is needed, we work alongside families, schools and specialist services rather than trying to replace them.
The evidence
What the research tells us
The evidence base for youth mentoring is strong and growing. A major meta-analysis of 70 studies found that youth mentoring programmes had positive effects across a range of outcomes, including school, social, health and psychological outcomes.
The evidence is particularly encouraging for young people who may be facing instability, disadvantage or other challenges. A consistent, trusted adult relationship can provide valuable support and help create the conditions for positive change.
The quality of the match matters too. Research highlights the importance of a strong mentor–young person relationship, which is why we invest so much in getting the match right and supporting our mentors throughout. Research consistently shows that well-supported youth mentoring can have positive effects on school engagement, behaviour, social relationships and young people's wellbeing. The quality of the relationship matters — which is why trust, consistency and finding the right mentor match are at the heart of our work.
Our impact
What we see in the young people we support
Every young person is different, but we often see positive changes in confidence, engagement, relationships and willingness to take on new challenges. We use feedback from young people, families and schools to understand what is changing and where our support is making a difference.
In their own words
What young people and families tell us
Before working with Dave, getting my son to engage with anything outside the home felt almost impossible. He was struggling with school and his anxiety had really taken over. Dave took the time to build a relationship with him without putting pressure on him. He found things that my son connected with and slowly helped him rebuild his confidence. It has been amazing to see him start engaging again and believing in himself. For us.
Parent of a young person we supported
When my son was expelled from school, we were worried about where things were heading. He had lost confidence in himself and was struggling to see any positives. Dave didn't judge him or focus on what had gone wrong. He built a relationship with him, gave him someone to talk to and helped him recognise that he could still move forward.
Parent of a young person we supported
I used to think I was bad at everything. Dave took the time to find out what I was actually interested in and helped me realise that I was good at things too. We did things I enjoyed, and that helped me build my confidence.
Young person
How we measure impact
Measuring progress that matters
We look beyond attendance and behaviour. We pay attention to the changes that matter to each young person — their confidence, engagement, relationships, independence and willingness to try new things.
We use regular conversations with young people, families and schools to understand what is changing, what is working and where further support may be needed.
We believe good mentoring should be honest and accountable. We celebrate progress, learn from what doesn't work and adapt our approach around the individual young person.
Want to know more about our approach?
We're always happy to talk through how we work and whether mentoring might be right for a young person you know.