A MENTORING programme working to help disadvantaged young people fulfil their full potential has been launched in the Wee County.

The local authority has teamed up with the charity MCR Pathways to rollout 50-minute weekly guidance sessions at all three high schools and the Clackmannanshire Secondary School Support Service.

The sessions will be targeted at disadvantaged youngsters, including those who are care experienced or on the edges of the care system, and will consist of one-to-one meetings where mentors can chat with, and provide encouragement to, mentees.

Cllr Graham Lindsay, spokesperson for education, said: “I am delighted that we are launching this partnership between Clackmannanshire Council and MCR Pathways.

“Improving outcomes for our most vulnerable young people and tackling inequalities is a real focus for the council, and this programme will not only improve lives, but enhance the skills of our workforce."

Iain MacRitchie, founder of MCR Pathways, added: "Our team are already working hard helping every young person on the programme to be determined by their talent and never their circumstances.

“We now have overwhelming evidence that mentors can make a life-changing difference to our most disadvantaged young people. At the same time, they themselves gain massively from the experience.

“Right now we are looking for 250 mentors in the Clackmannanshire area and would love to hear from anyone who has just one hour per week to spare.

“We’d also love to hear from local employers who would like to support staff in becoming mentors.

“A commitment of around 30 hours over one year is all it can take to make a life-changing difference to our most disadvantaged young people.

"And the great news is that mentors and their employers gain massively from the experience.”

To find out more information about MCR Pathways’ programme, or to become a new mentor, visit mcrpathways.org