The London Mayor's Office has pledged £10m of funding to ensure that 100,000 young people in London have a mentor by the end of 2024.
Sadiq Khan announced that he is investing a further £10 million to support mentoring organisations in London to deliver his manifesto commitment to provide a mentor for 100,000 young Londoners most in need of support.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I know first-hand the difference a trusted mentor can make. Our record investment will mean that more children, young Londoners and families across the capital will benefit from the life-changing impact of mentoring and coaching."
“Mentors are also absolutely crucial in supporting those most vulnerable to exploitation being drawn into violence. This investment will play an important part in our efforts to tackle violence in the capital as we work to build a fairer, more equal city for all Londoners," he added.
The latest investment is part of a £34m package of support from City Hall to deliver high-quality mentor opportunities to young people in London who are most in need, and support vulnerable young people most at risk of exploitation or being drawn into violence.
The importance of a trusted adult relationship in a young person’s life is crucial and mentoring will be provided to those most in need including:
Children and young people who are not in mainstream education
Those who have been excluded from school or college
Young people impacted by exploitation, domestic violence and living in poverty
Children and young people involved in the care system.
The funding aims to prevent vulnerable young Londoners from being exploited into gangs and violence and help them to reach their potential.
The investment, which is open to organisations to bid for through the Propel Funding Collaboration Portal, will enable organisations to provide a range of high-quality, long-term mentoring that includes:
One-to-one support to disadvantaged young Londoners aged 10-24;
Greater support during the transition between primary and secondary school;
Providing advice, training and employment opportunities for young people over 16.
Sammy Odoi, managing director of Wipers, said: "Often young people with specific requirements, learning difficulties or challenging behaviour regularly need additional support to enable them to attend appointments, access local resources and engage independently with their community."
"We adopt a relationship-based, person-centred approach to engage mentees by helping them to increase their self-esteem, confidence and personal and social development."
"We then seek to tap into the mentees' hobbies and interests and connect them with voluntary agencies and organisation in their local community so that the mentee can use these services to continue their development and progress with a degree of independence and autonomy."
"Having a trusted relationship with an adult who is available, approachable and who empowers the young person can make the world of difference to young people's lives, particularly those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds," he concluded.
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