Camden Young People's Mentoring Project

Funding: Camden Borough Council

Aim: To steer young people away from antisocial behaviour Children and young people in Camden who are at risk of getting into trouble are getting help to stay on track thanks to a mentoring scheme in the borough.

The Camden Young People's Mentoring Project works with young people aged eight to 18 who are either young offenders or are at risk of offending or getting involved in antisocial behaviour.

Matching mentors with young people on a one-to-one basis, the project involves weekly meetings of between one and four hours for at least six months. Mentors help the young people by developing their interests, helping them to spend their free time in a positive way, getting them back into education, training or employment and boosting their self-esteem and confidence.

Danielle Thorn, project manager, says the kind of help young people receive depends on how old they are. "For the younger age range it tends to be more recreational activities," she says. "Mentors can help them access local resources, such as joining the local football team. With the older ones it is more things like helping them to find work or education. A lot of them are living independently in hostels so it can be about helping them budget and basic living skills."

The project, funded by Camden Council and run by the charity Sova, aims to help around 80 young people each year. Staff fully train and support all mentors, as well as supervising and monitoring all relationships on a regular basis. The project is currently looking for more men to become mentors.

Councillor Janet Grauberg, lead for children and young people at Camden Council, says: "Mentors can provide young people with the right support and guidance to get them back into learning or a more positive way of life. Our male mentors can really reach out to young people in need of advice and guidance and I hope lots of men come forward."