Care-experienced young people often have fewer life chances, and research shows having a mentor can help boost young people’s confidence and academic performance.

Wheatley will help MCR Pathways – which operates in 126 schools across Scotland – bridge that achievement gap through mentoring as well as helping young people with work experience and training.

The Group has been collaborating with MCR Pathways for over a decade, with around 40 Wheatley staff acting as volunteer mentors in that time.

Wheatley will now build on that relationship by:

• Recruiting 50 new mentors from its staff and contractors;
• Guaranteeing work experience for young people supported by a Wheatley mentor; and
• Providing taster sessions for young people in housing, care, legal and digital. 

Holly Dillon, a fifth-year pupil at St Margaret Mary’s in Castlemilk, says mentoring has improved her confidence – and even made her excited about going to school.

Holly, 16, said: “Having a mentor has been great for me. It has really helped my confidence. It’s even made me excited about going to school. It’s good to speak freely to someone. We talk about what I’ve been up to, how my week has been, about family, anything at all. We both grew up in Castlemilk too, so that helps.

“It’s made things clearer for me about what I can do. I want to be a dance teacher when I leave school. My friends are always asking me about mentoring and I tell them it’s been a really positive experience for me.”

Brian Haddow, repairs, investment and compliance officer with Wheatley, is currently mentoring a fifth-year student in Eastbank Academy in Shettleston, Glasgow.

He said: “Mentoring is really rewarding. It’s great to feel like you are making a difference. It’s only one hour a week and helps young people by listening and encouraging them to work things out for themselves.

“I would recommend mentoring to anyone. It’s very worthwhile and there is training available before you start as a mentor.”

Wheatley has now signed a formal agreement with MCR Pathways which will see the two organisations work even more closely together.

Sharon McIntyre, MCR Pathways chief executive, added: “We know care-experienced young people don’t have the same outcomes as their peers. MCR Pathways focuses on closing that gap and helping young people fulfil their potential through personalised relationship mentoring support.

“We are very grateful for Wheatley’s commitment to helping young people reach their full potential.”

Laura Pluck, Wheatley’s Group director of communities, commented: “Supporting young people in our communities is really important to us. Having a trusted adult to listen, encourage their talents and help build their confidence can have a massive impact on a young person’s life. I know mentors find volunteering really satisfying and uplifting too.

“I’m looking forward to further developing Wheatley’s longstanding relationship with MCR Pathways.”