MEMBER NEWS: MCR Pathways has joined forces with Perth and Kinross council
18 January 2021
Perth & Kinross Council and award-winning charity MCR Pathways have joined forces to provide a life-changing mentoring programme to three schools – Blairgowrie High School, Perth Grammar school and St John’s RC Academy.
MCR Pathways was commissioned by the Council’s Education and Children’s Services to support young people who are care-experienced or have experienced disadvantage with the Young Perth & Kinross Talent programme. Young people are matched with a volunteer mentor to help them build confidence, overcome challenges and embark on a positive future.
Perth & Kinross Council Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Caroline Shiers said:
“As a Council we have already been looking to provide additional support to care-experienced and otherwise disadvantaged young people so they can achieve to their fullest potential in life. This partnership with MCR Pathways takes that process a step further by linking mentors with young people for weekly individual contact.
At a time when lockdown has had a massive impact on us all, and particularly young people, having someone ready to listen and encourage is extremely valuable. I hope residents in Perth and Kinross – who have shown their willingness to volunteer to benefit others in their communities in so many ways during 2020 – will be equally keen to make a difference for young people in 2021.”
At the core of MCR’s model are weekly mentoring sessions between a young person and their mentor, who commits an hour of their time to meet in school each week. Mentors are fully trained and give their time to listen and encourage a young person.
Right now MCR Pathways is looking for the first 100 volunteer mentors to get involved and help reach young people across Perth & Kinross
Photo Credit: MCR Pathways. Read the full story here: