Member News: Mentoring Project to expand to all Glasgow schools

4 February 2016

Member News: Mentoring Project to expand to all Glasgow schools

MCR Pathways has announced a new three-year plan to expand its ground-breaking project, which helps disadvantaged young people to reach their potential in life, into every school in Glasgow.

More than 750 mentors have now joined the scheme which has attracted the support of institutions such as Glasgow Life, the University of Strathclyde, Wheatley Group, Santander, Glasgow Kelvin College, the SECC and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

An announcement on MCR’s expansion plan, named the The Young Glasgow Talent (YGT) campaign, was made at a civic reception in the City Chambers on Thursday 4 February 2016, which was attended by around 250 people who have already signed up to become mentors. The occasion was also marked with the unveiling of an artwork inspired by the programme and painted by one of Glasgow’s world-class artists, Gerard Burns.

MCR founder Iain MacRitchie said:

“The descriptions of disadvantage and wasted potential are not what motivate or engage young people. Young Glasgow Talent has a focus on talent and the support to help young people find, grow and use theirs.

“We are driven to ensure that young people will be determined by their talent and not their circumstances. In travelling the world and working with many gifted people, I am inspired by the character, talent and resilience of Glasgow’s young people.

“We are bridge builders to connect talent with opportunity and ensure we mentor and support our young people to realise their full potential. YGT is how and why we do what we do. We have lots of it across the city and with mentoring and our talent tasters programme it will absolutely flourish.”

MCR mentors work with children on a one to one basis and give them the benefit of their life experience. The idea is to steer vulnerable children into careers or further education which may have been blocked to them by their personal circumstances. The three-year year plan will target the recruitment of over 1000 mentors and other volunteers, and will be built on the success of an initial appeal backed by The Herald which attracted more than 750 people to register and become involved with MCR Pathways, Magnus Llewellin, Herald and Times Editor-in-Chief said: “We are proud to have played a role in the success of the MCR Pathways. The work being done is inspirational and will have a positive impact on the city and all involved for decades to come.”

The full story is available from The Herald Scotland website and further information on the newly expanded programme is available from the The Young Glasgow Talent (YGT) campaign website.

Read more