BREAKTHROUGH Dundee receives 100 mentor applications

BREAKTHROUGH Dundee, a new £1 million Dundee mentoring scheme which was launched last Tuesday, has received 100 applications for mentors within its first week.

In just seven days, 100 people have signed up to become mentors for the programme, which is being developed to boost the life chances of young people who are vulnerable or have experienced care.

The applicants, from local companies and Dundee’s wider community, will be matched appropriately to the young people and fully trained in order to support those who sign up to take part in the scheme.

Mentors will help to provide a one-to-one programme, designed to improve pupils’ academic performance and to support them in achieving a positive destination after they leave school.

BREAKTHROUGH CEO Susan Duncan said: “Dundee’s young people follow all walks of life, so it makes perfect sense to recruit mentors from all walks of life too.

“No specialist skills are required to become a BREAKTHROUGH Mentor, just a genuine desire to support and improve the lives of young people.

“If you can listen without judging and commit to weekly mentoring sessions during the school year, then you’ve got what it takes!

“Mentoring provides an opportunity for a young person to build a relationship with an adult who can offer them consistent support – the type of support that will see them leave school with qualifications that open doors to positive destinations and life changing opportunities.”

Anyone interested can apply via breakthroughdundee.co.uk

Mentors will be asked to commit to one hour of in-school mentoring each week during the school year.

The team is also asking participation for at least one year (38 weeks, from August to June) to allow time for the mentoring relationship to develop fully.

Mentors must be at least 21 years old to participate in the programme and will be required to submit a PVG application form and two personal references before they attend any induction training.

The programme begins in Morgan Academy this month and will be followed by St Paul’s RC Academy, in October.

It is intended that all eight of Dundee’s secondary schools would be involved in the scheme by 2019.