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Mentoring Scotland's young people

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Mentoring Scotland’s young people

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Read intandem’s 2020/2021 report

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We’re delighted to share our 2020/2021 report, which showcases the impact of intandem during an incredibly difficult year for everyone.

With anxiety, loneliness and isolation at an all-time high during the pandemic, we knew it was more important than ever to ensure mentoring relationships could continue.

Therefore, despite the challenges, intandem volunteer mentors, coordinators and partner charities adapted quickly to Covid-19 restrictions, ensuring that the trusting, community based mentoring relationships continued.

We listened to young people and their families, and mentoring was tailored to respond to each young person’s wishes. Communications between mentors and mentees were conducted virtually, or in person with social distancing, where restrictions allowed. Volunteer mentors embraced remote mentoring as a means of keeping in touch with their young mentees. Partner charities sprang into action to implement new working measures, and coordinators stepped in to support volunteers and families when times were difficult.

Our 2020/2021 report highlights the incredible dedication of our mentors and resilience of our young people during this difficult year. The stories of intandem mentees in the report bring to life the true impact of mentoring on intandem’s young people, many of whom have overcome challenges to achieve incredible outcomes. Feedback from parents and guardians show the extent to which mentoring relationships can positively influence not just young people, but their home lives and families, too.

We are incredibly proud of the impact intandem has made in 2020/2021, and are hugely grateful to our partner charities, volunteers and funders, who make our work possible.

As we focus on the future, we look forward to continuing to build towards our vision: that all young people who are in care or on the edge of care will have the confidence and resilience to succeed in life.

Could you be an intandem mentor?

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New mentors sought to help young people across Scotland

Scotland’s national mentoring programme for young people who are looked after at home has launched a new volunteer recruitment drive to meet increased demand for referrals.

intandem, which matches young people with trained adult volunteer mentors, are anticipating intensified need for the programme across Scotland.

While the social limitations from the Covid-19 lockdown have been felt by everyone, for the young people intandem supports, who are already coping with challenging home lives, the need for support and contact through regular mentoring has never been more needed.

The programme remained operational during Covid-19 supporting all 122 young people currently being mentored, moving to combine virtual meet ups with socially distanced outdoor walks and cycles.

We are now looking to attract a new intake of mentors so even more children and young people can benefit from mentoring.

As one mentor explained: “Lockdown has been a challenge but an opportunity to find new ways to communicate and do fun things. Importantly it’s given me an opportunity to build a relationship with my mentee’s family which had been difficult previously.”

Another mentor said: “It has been good to maintain contact and for my young person to feel they still have my support and I am there for them. It also lets them vent frustrations to someone outside the family and talk about any concerns. It feels good to still have contact even if it’s just a phone call or Zoom.”

intandem’s recent volunteer survey revealed the substantial benefits of mentoring, especially during current circumstances.

  • 93% reported that their own mental wellbeing had improved since becoming a mentor. A further 96% also said they felt better about themselves because of their involvement with intandem.
  • The survey also highlighted employment opportunities and work experience gained through becoming a mentor, with 98% of respondents saying they had gained new skills and 98% saying they had learned new things from their mentee.
  • All volunteers said they would recommend becoming an intandem mentor to their friends and family.

The most important opinions are from the young people themselves.

“I have someone to talk to and we do different things and its more fun.”

“My mentor phones me every week and she cheers me up if I’m having a bad day.”

“It’s nice to talk to someone different, made me feel happier; it’s nice to feel that someone is interested in me.”

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and can commit to meeting a young person weekly for at least twelve months, please get in touch:

Find out more about mentoring with intandem

Mentoring adapts and continues

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Mentoring adapts and continues

We have been so impressed with the flexibility, creativity, and resilience of our intandem volunteer mentors, young people and charities over the past six months.

After adapting quickly to weekly video or telephone calls, our young people, volunteers and coordinators have come up with lots of creative ways to continue relationships despite not being able to meet face to face.  Art and nature projects, dance moves, darts and treasure hunts have all featured. A huge proportion of our matches have successfully transitioned to meeting virtually to listen, share experiences, and try new activities and challenges each week.

The structure of a regular meet-up online has also helped our volunteers to stay motivated and connected during often difficult times.  Activity packs, fun competitions and pamper boxes have provided a welcome boost and when needed, more frequent contact by video or phone or post has made things more bearable. It has been challenging time for everyone, but from our survey of young people we know that having someone to talk to out with their immediate household has been a positive, practical help.

We continue to adapt intandem mentoring to enable young people to set new goals and achieve their potential.  If you would like to speak to an intandem coordinator about volunteering or being mentored, details of our 12 partners and their locations are listed below:

Local Authority
Organisation
Contact
Email
Phone
Aberdeen
Befriend a Child
Aleisha
aleisha@befriendachild.org.uk
07852 305816
Clacks.
Quarriers
Wendy
Wendy.woolfson@quarriers.org.uk
07531 193637
East Ayrshire
Barnardo’s
Kayleigh
kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk
07834 106409
East Lothian
Move On
Angela
angela@moveon.org.uk
07787 256828
Edinburgh
Move On
Angela
angela@moveon.org.uk
07787 256828
YMCA Edinburgh
Bruce
bruce@ymcaedinburgh.com
07715 208528
Falkirk
Quarriers
Wendy
Wendy.woolfson@quarriers.org.uk
07531 193637
Fife
Kirkcaldy YMCA
Jo
intandem@ymcakirkcaldy.co.uk
07788 982 866
Glasgow
Y People
Caroline/ Jerri
Caroline.McIntosh@ypeople.org.uk
jerri.forrest@ypeople.org.uk
07794 383969
07384 515614
Volunteer Glasgow
Steven
steven.dunn@volunteerglasgow.org
07468 863919
Highland
Action for Children
Sarah
Sarah.Sproul@actionforchildren.org.uk
07717 780465
Inverclyde
Aberlour
Brian
Brian.gallagher@aberlour.org.uk
07864 625063
Midlothian
Move On
Angela
angela@moveon.org.uk
07787 256828
North Ayrshire
Barnardo’s
Kayleigh
kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk
07834 106409
North Lanarkshire
Y People
Caroline
Caroline.McIntosh@ypeople.org.uk
07794 383969
Renfrewshire
Aberlour
Brian
Brian.gallagher@aberlour.org.uk
07864 625063
South Ayrshire
Barnardo’s
Kayleigh
kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk
07834 106409
South Lanarkshire
COVEY
Terri
 t.young@coveybefriending.org.uk
07384 514486
Stirling
Quarriers
Wendy
Wendy.woolfson@quarriers.org.uk
07531 193637
West Dunbartonshire
Y Sort It
Lyndsey
lyndsey@ysortit.com
07852 147734
West Lothian
Move On
Angela
angela@moveon.org.uk
07787 256 828

If you have any questions about the national programme then please contact Susie or Debbie on 07860 272 261 or 07860 272 256. Email susie@inspiringscotland.org.uk or debbiez@inspiringscotland.org.uk

intandem mentoring will continue during the coronavirus outbreak

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In these challenging times, we want to make sure we stay in touch with our intandem community.

We have transitioned our weekly mentoring to an online or telephone service to help keep everyone healthy during this period of social distancing.  We recognise that many people will be anxious about families, friends and carers during this time so want to make keeping in touch with us as easy as possible.

Our mentor coordinators have already been in touch with families, young people and volunteers to explain the changes we are making and how we can safely continue to offer mentoring support and perhaps help guide you to other support if needed. The coordinators have also contacted referring agencies to make sure they know our plans and that we are limiting referrals at present.

If you need to speak to an intandem coordinator about an existing match, then please contact:

Local Authority
Organisation
Contact
Email
Phone
Aberdeen Befriend a Child Aleisha aleisha@befriendaschild.org.uk 07852 305816
Clackmannanshire Quarriers Wendy
East Ayrshire Barnardo’s Kayleigh kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk 07834 106409
East Lothian Move On Angela angela@moveon.org.uk 07787 256828
Edinburgh Move On Angela angela@moveon.org.uk 07787 256828
Edinburgh YMCA Edinburgh Bruce
Falkirk Quarriers Wendy
Fife Kirkcaldy YMCA Linda
Glasgow Y People Caroline/Jerri
Glasgow Volunteer Glasgow Steven
Highland Action for Children Sarah
Inverclyde Aberlour Brian
Midlothian Move On Angela angela@moveon.org.uk 07787 256828
North Ayrshire Barnardo’s Kayleigh kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk 07834 106409
North Lanarkshire Y People Caroline
Renfrewshire Aberlour Brian
South Ayrshire Barnardo’s Kayleigh kayleigh.christie@barnardos.org.uk 07834 106409
South Lanarkshire COVEY Elisa e.mclean@coveybefriending.org.uk 07950 788569
Stirling Quarriers Wendy
W Dunbartonshire Y Sort It Marilisa marilisa@ysortit.com 07376 570606
West Lothian Move On Angela angela@moveon.org.uk 07787 256828

NB – full details will be updated here as information is confirmed.

If you have any questions about the national programme, then please contact Susie or Debbie on 07860 272 261 or 07860 272 256. Email susie@inspiringscotland.org.uk or debbiez@inspiringscotland.org.uk

intandem film launch celebrates three years of Scotland’s mentoring programme for young people

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intandem, Scotland’s national mentoring programme for children looked after at home has launched a new film to celebrate the third anniversary of their first mentor-mentee match.

Screened for the first time at an event at Edinburgh’s iconic Scotsman Picturehouse, the film takes a closer look at some of the individual stories of eight young people aged 8-14 years with experience of mentoring through the intandem programme.

With footage gathered across various locations over December and January, the film also captures a special reception for intandem mentees held by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House, her official residence, as part of her commitment to hearing from young people with experience of the care system.

Guests at the launch event included young people featured in the film, as well as members of the wider intandem community, which encompasses mentors, families, charities and social workers involved in supporting the programme.

Continuing her close relationship with the intandem programme, Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd was also part of the celebration, presenting participants with commemorative certificates and trophies.

 “I was very pleased to be part of intandem’s three-year anniversary celebrations, and I welcome the benefits that having an intandem mentor has had for young people and recognise the achievement of 300 matches being made.”

“The Scottish Government is committed to improving the care, support and opportunities for care experienced children and young people. We are keen to work with intandem and all relevant stakeholders to take forward the Care Review’s conclusions to ensure that all young people get the right support at the right time, and for as long as necessary.”

Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Ceila Tennant said:

“This new film highlights the amazing group of people involved in intandem over the last three years. From the 140 incredible young people involved every week, the charities who provide the essential scaffolding and support, to the volunteer mentors from communities around Scotland.

“As the recent Independent Care Review shows, the importance of listening to young people and supporting them in building trusting relationships has never been more significant, and we know that intandem is making an enormous difference in young people’s lives.

“However, there is a huge amount still to do, and we’re determined to extend intandem’s reach to even more children who are looked after at home across Scotland.”

Funded by Scottish Government and delivered by Inspiring Scotland, intandem is Scotland’s mentoring programme for young people who are looked after by their local authority and living at home.

Launched in November 2016, the programme was developed to support children and young people looked after at home by helping them to build a consistent, trusting relationship with a positive adult role-model. Having a committed and positive role-model who listens and takes an active interest can help young people facing difficult circumstances to build relationships, experience new things, become more involved and realise their full potential.

The programme is delivered by 13 charity partners across 20 local authority areas, and there have been more than 300 matches between young people and intandem mentors across Scotland over the past three years. There are currently around 140 active intandem matches, meeting weekly on a voluntary basis in communities around Scotland, which will continue for as long as needed.

intandem will be holding other information and screening events. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Susie White susie@inspiringscotland.org.uk or Debbie Zima debbiez@inspiringscotland.org.uk

Mentoring boosts young people’s wellbeing

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In Scotland, there has been an increasing focus on wellbeing.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently revealed in a TED Talk her view that a country’s output should not just be measured economically, but by the impact it has on how its people feel. New Zealand recently handed down its first budget which focused on wellbeing, promoting initiatives that enabled prisoner rehabilitation and tackled societal issues. As the country’s Finance Minister Grant Robertson put it: “How could we be a Rockstar [economy]…with homelessness, child poverty and inequality on the rise?”

Young People especially benefit from a focus on wellbeing.

By living active lives with a supportive community around them, their potential and opportunities increase. That’s the ethos behind intandem, the mentoring programme that supports hundreds of looked-after children in Scotland. Thirteen separate charities, all with experience of working with young people, are funded by Inspiring Scotland to establish mentoring relationships between children and young people and trusted adults.

These relationships are long-term and have a marked improvement on young people’s wellbeing and attainment. We’ve recently published a full report of the service which has included a Comprehensive Independent Evaluation  by research consultancy Blake Stevenson.

It’s clear the initiative is having a marked impact not just on young people’s chances for success, but on their quality of life too. According to Blake Stevenson’s independent evaluation:

  • 64 per cent of mentees said they had made more friends after being mentored;
  • 62 per cent said their self-esteem had improved;
  • Young adults with an opportunity gap but who have a mentor are 81 per cent more likely to participate in sports or similar activities than those who don’t;
  • Students who met regularly with their mentors were 52 per cent less likely to miss a day of school than their peers.

In addition, the outcome data of the programme speaks for itself. From November 2016 to June 2019, 247 matches have been made, with 438 mentors trained, 401 referrals received and the average match lasting 15 months.

Yet perhaps the best endorsement for the programme comes from the young people taking part in the programme itself.

Callum*, who is 14 years old, had been referred to the programme after being on a Compulsory Supervision Order for four years. Social work had been involved with his family since he was seven. His school attendance was at zero per cent and he had limited social contact.

He was paired with Jenny, his mentor, who helped develop his confidence in engaging in social activities and attended a school meeting with him, enabling him to talk openly and honestly about the challenges he faced. This put him on a path to a part-time timetable, bringing his attendance up to 100 per cent, and to a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, helping him make sense of some of the issues he was facing and helping support his additional learning needs.

“I’m so happy that I finally know why life is so hard and I’m not just daft,” says Callum. “I am better at socialising with people and can speak to them…I am motivated to go on courses and learn new things, which I wasn’t before.”

That’s the real impact of intandem – one summed up in a single sentence by another mentee:

“It’s great just to be able to feel like a kid again.”

*Callum’s name has been changed to protect his identity.