Y Sort It is a youth information and support network which delivers a programme of support groups, training and drop-in sessions targeting young people aged between 12-25 years that reside within West Dunbartonshire. In addition to support and information on a wide selection of issues affecting young people, we offer targeted group and individual services to support young carers, young mums and LGBT young people. Y sort it Youth Centre is ideally located within the centre of Clydebank and provides a dedicated youth friendly space with various weekly youth activities and sessions held. The Y sort it Mobile Cyber Station (bus) also helps provide youth activities within the heart of the local community of West Dunbartonshire. In addition to providing individual and group support to young people, Y Sort it has substantial experience developing and delivering peer education, research and information projects. We are an active member of the 'community planning in practice' approach to supporting young people across West Dunbartonshire. Y sort it has recently been successfully awarded funding from The Life Changes Trust to develop and deliver a Peer Mentoring programme for Care Experienced young people. The peer mentoring project aims to;

• support young people with experience of care
• develop and sustain positive relationships with someone with a shared experience of care
• support young people to realise their full potential, and
• be active and healthy members of our community and have a voice in decisions affecting them.

The project will be available across West Dunbartonshire area for young people aged 14- 26 who have experience of at least three months in a care environment. This includes:

• looked after at home
• foster care
• residential care
• secure care
• looked after through kinship care

This project will benefit both mentors and mentees: We see peer mentoring as a mutual way of learning and helping both participants to develop, building social skills and confidence, providing widened opportunities to develop sustained positive and trusted relationships, building confidence. Linking with key community planning partners we plan to promote individual achievement, through working towards personal goals, education and employability opportunities.

Mentors will be 18-30 year olds with experience of care or disadvantage. We will promote the expertise of these young people, being committed to supporting mentors to have positive experiences of being role models and improving opportunities for other young people.