Former participants blast plan to cut Glasgow mentoring scheme

Mentors with MCR Pathways have also blasted the proposal, which would axe co-ordinators in 30 schools.

Founded in Glasgow in 2007, the charity supports young people with weekly, one-to-one support sessions. Independent research has shown participants benefit from improved attendance and motivation, higher attainment levels, increased confidence and more positive destinations.

There are around 1000 mentors working in Glasgow schools, supporting more than 2000 young people. The scheme was made permanent in 2017 by former Glasgow City Council education director Maureen McKenna, who is now vice-chairperson of MCR’s board.

Former participant Susanne Richards, who is now in her fourth year of a law degree at Strathclyde University, said: “This is a horrible decision. Without the co-ordinators, the programme can’t work, and it’s so important.

 “I was struggling at school, not academically, but with behavioural issues. There was a lot going on at home, and as a result I couldn’t focus. My mentor Jenny made a huge difference – she got me back on track and she is still a big part of my life.”

Susanne Richards (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)

Susanne’s mentor, Jenny McLeod, a business development executive, said: “Pathways co-ordinators are trusted friends, advisers and a listening ear for students who are known to struggle in our education system. The co-ordinators build invaluable relationships with young people encouraging them to open up about worries many don’t feel comfortable sharing with teachers.

“These weekly meetings can change the course of a young person’s life. Susanne is a case in point. She is a remarkable young woman with the world at her fingertips having gained a place at university as well as working in various jobs to support her journey post school.

“I’m inspired by her every day and without the support from the co-ordinator, our experience would just not have been the same.”

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Council bosses say the proposal will save the local authority £900,000 over three years.

Retired whisky industry global band ambassador Ken Lindsay, who has been a mentor for 10 years, said: “The co-ordinators are a vital cog in the wheel. They are the link between the programme, the schools and the mentors, and they make sure everyone gets the best out of the relationship.”

He added: “I was really saddened to hear this news, it seems like quite a brutal blow for something so well established, which has proven to be such a success.”

An emotional Mandy Choi, MCR’s head of experience and engagement, said: “This has been the most awful week.

“The Pathways co-ordinators are fundamental. It won’t work without them. In each school, they make sure around 80 young people – and we are talking about some of the most vulnerable, hard-to-reach young people here - are where they need to be every week.

“Once young people buy in to the programme, it works, but it takes a lot to get them there. The warm-up to the programme is as important as the programme itself.”

Mandy, who is from Springburn, was a mentor before she started working for the charity seven years ago. One of her former mentees, Amie Hamilton, says removing co-ordinators from schools would be “ridiculous.”

Amie Hamilton with mentor Mandy Choi (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)

Amie, 22, who is from Easterhouse, said: “I was really struggling – home wasn’t a safe place for me to be, then school became unsafe too because I was being bullied.

“Mandy set me straight. No-one had ever advocated for me before, so I just didn’t ever think I was worthy of higher education, but Mandy made me realise I was. It’s absolutely horrible to think that other people will lose out on that because of this ridiculous decision.”

Amie, who is now studying law at university, added: “My Pathways co-ordinator, Lisa, was always there for me. I know lots of other young people feel the same about their co-ordinators, as well as the mentors. Without the co-ordinators, there is no MCR.”

Mandy Choi agrees.

“This is so short-sighted,” she said. “These cuts will have a bigger impact further down the line in terms of the cost to the welfare state and the national purse.

“We are challenging this all the way, because we cannot let our young people down.”

She added: “Anyone involved in making this decision – I urge you to step into the classroom and see exactly what kind of impact MCR has. This is really, really worrying – it could be the end of the programme, because without the co-ordinators, it doesn’t work.”

MCR Pathways founder Dr Iain MacRitchie said: “We have an escalating teenage mental health crisis. We all know trusting relationships can make a transformational difference.

“MCR Pathways mentoring is independently assessed as making a transformational difference to attainment, positive post-school destinations, confidence and self-esteem.  Why would we jeopardise something that is highly effective at a time when it is increasingly needed?”

He added: “This will have a devastating impact on the education outcomes, job choices and life chances of 2000 of the city’s most disadvantaged young people. I appeal to the council to listen to the young people. Their voices should be heard.

A council spokesperson said: “A review of our MCR mentoring co-ordinators is underway following the council budget last month. Several options are being explored and at this time no decision has been taken to stop the programme.

“A cross party, political oversight group has been established and we will keep staff and the relevant trade unions informed and updated of developments.

“We understand that this will cause a degree of uncertainty but with council savings of £108million over the next three years it is significantly more challenging to protect education expenditure.”