New ReachOut! Project helps young people gain skills

New Project in London!

It's an exciting start to the year here in London as we prepare to launch the ReachOut! Junior Mentors Project in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. At the project, ReachOut! mentors support young people aged 14-16 in years 10 and 11. Group activities aimed at developing leadership skills create a safe environment for collective voice, shared learning and reflection, whilst mentors can build a deep personal relationship with their mentee during the one-to-one activities and begin to support them with their personal development. Activities focus on the interests of the young people and usually include sport, cooking, creative design or working towards an event, such as a fashion show or pop up restaurant. 

Junior Mentors in Manchester prepare desserts as they 

host their ‘pop up’ restaurant for friends and family.

High Youth Unemployment

With high youth unemployment levels in the UK, the project has been created to provide young people with the skills they need to get a job and achieve their goals in life.  It aims to help them improve self-confidence, develop skills and raise their aspirations so that they can enjoy improved life chances for the future. This might mean feeling better about themselves, being able to get a job they enjoy, or going into further education. 

Junior Mentors from Manchester develop vital skills in teamwork and leadership 

as they spend the weekend on an Outward Bound Residential in Wales.

Mentees to Mentors

Young people taking part in the Junior Mentors Project will then have the opportunity to become mentors themselves and provide support to children on other ReachOut! projects during the summer and gain valuable work experience.

Junior Mentors Zephanai and Shannon mentor Year 5s in a maths booster class 
at a ReachOut! Junior Mentors pilot project.

ReachOut! Project Manager Justin Pickett said:

“Young people should take advantage of ReachOut!’s passion to help them create a foundation to build and enhance their life skills and career opportunities. Having worked with young people for over 15 years, I can honestly say that this project provides a unique platform of support for young people to really fulfil their true potential.”

See it in action!

A video about the Junior Mentors Project based in Manchester can be found on the ReachOut! website here: https://www.reachoutuk.org/?page_id=89 

Want to get involved?

Find out more information on our website and register your interest to get involved.

The Junior Mentors in Manchester add the final touches to the set for their Talent Show.