As we come to a close in our Pembury Mentoring Programme, funded by the Peabody Young People’s Fund, mentor Paris reflects on the mentoring she and The Mentoring Lab team delivered to 18 young people that live on or near the Pembury Peabody Housing Estate, in Hackney, East London.
'I believe every young person on the program made considerable progress building their ability to reflect develop and explore on their own attributes and experiences, developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills'.
'Adapting the sessions to online had its challenges of keeping my mentees engaged after being on a computer all day at school. However, playing icebreakers and having a structured activity to complete in the session helped focus many of my online mentees and they were able to discover things about themselves that they never knew or had even thought of'.
Committed to young people participation post programme, Founder Ceo Elaine Thomas factors signposting into The Mentoring Lab mentoring programmes, to ensure young people become familiar with trying out new things and develop parents and guardians knowledge of accessible local youth activities. Paris was able to signpost mentees to relevant organisations who can continue to support the Pembury Mentoring programme mentees to achieve their short-term and long-term goals.
We were able to make partnerships and opportunities for signposting with;
Paris continues by saying 'We were able to offer 5 FREE spaces for young people aged 6-16years old to join Impact Sports FC, in weekly football training and opportunities to join their U8-U16 football teams'.
Three boys that received up to 10 weeks of weekly mentoring from our mentor Paris during the Covid-19 lockdown have been attending the football training sessions and are having an amazing time.
Like the mentoring sessions, through football, the boys are improving their football skills, fitness and improving their social and communication skills. the boys have expressed that the training is a challenge and they have to work hard, which they enjoy.
There are still 2 more spaces left; please contact Paris at paris@thementoringlab.co.uk to register for a space to start training.
Activity: Impact Sports Football Academy training and Club games
Day and time of training sessions: Tuesdays 4:45pm-5:45pm/ Fridays 6pm-7pm
Location: Haggerston park Astro and field: Yorkton St, London E2 8NH
Photo: Mentor Paris with Mentee
Photo: Pembury Housing Estate, Hackney E5.
Photo: Mentees moving on to Impact Sports Football Club
