Youth mentoring is a vital service that can transform young people's lives, yet many grassroots organisations struggle to secure funding due to varying interpretations of what constitutes "effective mentoring." This disconnect often stems from funders' personal experiences with professional or corporate mentoring, which differs significantly from youth mentoring practices.
The landscape of youth mentoring in the UK has evolved significantly over the past decade, particularly since the closure of the Mentoring and Befriending Association and the end of government-funded programmes like Excellence in the City. Without these centralised resources and frameworks, the sector has developed organically, with grassroots organisations leading the way in creating innovative, community-responsive approaches to youth mentoring.
However, this evolution has created challenges in securing funding, as traditional funding criteria often fail to capture the nuanced and diverse ways in which effective youth mentoring can be delivered. Many funders, drawing from their experiences of corporate or professional mentoring, may not fully appreciate the distinct nature and requirements of youth mentoring.
At its core, youth mentoring is a multi-disciplinary practice where a young person is safely guided by a trusted person who has relevant experience, using specific tools and techniques to support them in overcoming barriers to progression, navigating life, and achieving chosen goals. This definition allows for various delivery models, from structured long-term relationships to flexible, community-based approaches.
The key distinction between youth mentoring and other forms of mentoring lies in its focus on supporting young people through their unique developmental challenges and transitions. Unlike professional mentoring, which typically focuses on career advancement or skill development, youth mentoring takes a holistic approach to supporting young people's growth and well-being.
While research in youth mentoring continues to evolve, we must acknowledge that community organisations, particularly those in the voluntary sector, have developed effective, culturally responsive mentoring approaches through years of hands-on experience and continuous improvement. These organisations understand their communities' unique needs and have often created innovative mentoring models that may not fit traditional frameworks but deliver meaningful impact.
Small, grassroots organisations often deliver the most impactful mentoring services because they're deeply embedded in their communities. Their approaches, while perhaps unconventional, are often the most effective for their specific context. These organisations have developed their models through careful experimentation, learning, and adaptation to local needs.
When evaluating funding applications for youth mentoring programmes, it's crucial to look beyond rigid preconceptions and consider several key aspects:
Organisations should demonstrate a deep understanding of their target community and how their mentoring approach addresses specific local challenges and needs. This might be evidenced through consultation with young people, partnerships with other local organisations, or track record of community engagement.
While delivery models may vary, all youth mentoring programmes must maintain robust safeguarding procedures and clear professional boundaries. This includes appropriate screening and training of mentors, regular supervision, and clear protocols for managing risk.
Effective youth mentoring requires comprehensive support systems for both mentors and mentees. This includes training, supervision, and ongoing professional development opportunities for mentors, as well as clear pathways for additional support when needed.
Strong applications will show how their mentoring model can adapt to individual needs while maintaining quality and consistency. This might include offering different types of mentoring (one-to-one, group, or peer mentoring) or varying the intensity and duration of support based on young people's needs.
Look for evidence of how young people are involved in shaping the mentoring programme, from design through to evaluation. This demonstrates a commitment to genuine youth engagement and ensures the service remains relevant and effective.
Organisations should show a commitment to learning and improving their practice, even if their evaluation methods are informal or qualitative. This might include regular feedback from young people, mentor reflection sessions, or partnership working to share learning.
To better support youth mentoring organisations, we recommend that funders:
Funders can help ensure that vital mentoring services remain available to young people who need them by understanding and appreciating the diverse ways in which effective youth mentoring can be delivered. This guide aims to bridge the gap between funders' expectations and community organisations' realities, helping more critical projects secure the funding they need to continue their valuable work.
Let's move beyond rigid frameworks and embrace the diversity of effective youth mentoring approaches.
Contact The Mentoring Lab for consultations and insights into the nuances of youth mentoring in practice. the expertise of community organisations and supporting their work, we can help ensure that more young people have access to high-quality mentoring that meets their needs and helps them achieve their potential.