The National Citizen Service (NCS) and One Million Mentors (1MM) have launched a unique mentoring scheme to support the career development of young people in Greater Manchester.
Founded by Rushnara Ali MP and Alveena Malik, 1MM aims to improve young people’s life and employability chances, and strengthen local communities.
The scheme works by pairing up mentees with mentors from a diverse range of sectors and backgrounds, offering young people one-to-one mentoring so that they can gain the knowledge, networks, skills and confidence they need to succeed. To date, 1MM are approaching 4,000 mentees who will have been connected to a mentor, and over half of mentees are considered to be from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
As part of the 1MM/NCS partnership, the 12-month scheme will match a further 400 mentees, aged 15-17, with 400 mentors from across Greater Manchester, and also areas of East London and the West Midlands.
Research conducted by 1MM prior to young people embarking on mentoring found that 78% were unsure or didn’t know how to go about getting the experience or training they need to get the job or qualification they want. One in two young people also reported feeling a notable level of anxiety.
Mentor Rebecca Dudley, who works at Deliveroo as a Strategy and Sales Operations Manager, said: “I really enjoyed the Mentor introduction session at HideOut Youth Zones amazing site in Gorton. It was great to meet the 1MM & HideOut teams and learn more about how the programme will support the young people. I am looking forward to the first mentoring session next month!’’
1MM CEO and Co-Founder Alveena Malik said: “One Million Mentors is excited to be partnering with NCS in order to scale up the provision of wrap-around mentoring support to diverse young people, post pandemic and in the midst of a cost of living crisis. We believe that this partnership, through the support of trained mentors who will act as trusted adults to build confidence and signpost to local opportunities, will boost the ability of more young people to be work ready and world ready.”
Mark Gifford, CEO of NCS Trust said: “NCS is extremely proud to be working with 1MM on this unique mentoring programme. This scheme will boost young people’s employability opportunities and also introduce them to what NCS has to offer – improving their confidence, equipping them with the skills they need to be world ready and work ready, and broadening their horizons by mixing with people from all walks of life.”
The 1MM/NCS project is supporting several Youth Partners across Greater Manchester including Sale Sharks Advantage Programme, The Manchester College, HideOut Youth Zone, Whalley Range High School and Sixth Form and Connell College, alongside the support from organisations such as Bruntwood, Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester City Council, KPMG and others.
More mentors are needed so every young person can benefit, to join and help change a young person’s life potential mentors can sign up at 1MM.org.uk.
Employers wanting to involve staff as mentors, or organisations working with young people who require support can contact [email protected] for more information.
For more about 1MM, please visit onemillionmentors.org.uk, and for more on NCS, visit wearencs.com.
