A mentoring charity is calling for more volunteers in Glasgow to #BeTheBridge and help a young person succeed in 2021.
MCR Pathways says it needs more mentors in the city to support pupils in all 30 secondary schools.
To help the appeal, the award-winning charity asked existing mentors to take a selfie on a bridge and a large number took up the challenge and submitted photographs taken from all over Scotland.
West End-based PR consultant Jill Creighton is one of those who has given her time to help.
She volunteered to become a mentor in 2017 and was matched with 15-year-old Katy who was in her third year at a city secondary school.
Jill said: “From day one I enjoyed the process. The MCR team were welcoming and the training was excellent.
“I was a bit nervous meeting Katy but we bonded over a mutual love for Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
“Before lockdown we’d meet for 40 minutes at Katy’s school and always had an interesting catch up.
“Sometimes we did a bit of schoolwork or talk about what Katy would like to do when she left school, and other times, we’d share Netflix recommendations or Katy would keep me updated on all things Little Mix!”
Throughout the pandemic, MCR Pathways has continued to provide support by introducing virtual mentoring and giving laptops and WiFi for those in need.
This ongoing support has helped 2,500 young people each week, many of whom are among the most vulnerable and at risk of falling behind with their education.
They have also moved their mentor recruitment process online – from sign up to training – to ensure they can continue to support young people in 2021.
I was a bit nervous meeting Katy but we bonded over a mutual love for Ru Paul’s Drag Race
Jill Creighton
Katy was in her final year at school when lockdown started in March 2020, but Jill kept in touch via video calls – facilitated by the MCR coordinator.
Jill said: “Katy is such an amazing young woman and I got so much out of being her mentor for 2 ½ years.
“She’s now left school and in first year at college with plans to become a nurse.
“We keep in touch every few weeks by email and plan to catch up for a coffee when lockdown eases.
“If anyone has an hour a week to spare mentoring a young person is such a great way to spend it.”
