Free mentoring course for teenagers set to launch in Stepney

A children’s charity is setting up a free mentoring scheme for teenagers at a Stepney school – and is appealing for young people to come forward to take part.

The Junior Mentors course, run by Reachout!, has already been touted as a success following a similar trial at a school in Manchester, where pupils enjoyed learning cooking and filming skills and took part in outdoor team-building exercises, such as rowing.

The course, which is for pupils aged 14 to 16 at Bishop Challoner School, aims to provide the students with the skills they need to achieve their goals and get a good job.

The pupils, in years 10 and 11, will receive support from mentors while enjoying leadership training and workshops with local businesses.

Financial news company Bloomberg is taking part, as is investment bank Macquarie, which is paying for the scheme through its Macquarie Group Foundation charitable fund.

The course kicks off on January 15, and will run from 6-8pm on Tuesday evenings at the school in Commercial Road for 20 weeks.

Pupils who want to sign up should call ReachOut! on 0207 249 6881 or email info@reachoutuk.org.