"I can highly recommend the CRIBS Mentoring programme for students. In light of the current issues surrounding student mental health and well-being the use of CRIBS Mentors has enabled me to support a wide variety of needs amongst our students. Referral was quick and easy and the students are well matched with their mentor who remain professional throughout. I have had extremely positive feedback from students, parents and health professionals."
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Mrs K Kallend - SENCO Assistant Head Teacher St Columba's Catholic Boys' School
Mentoring Programme in Secondary schools
Unlimited is a mentoring programme designed to meet the escalating need to support our young people’s wellbeing. The alarming statistic that “suicide is the most common cause of death for boys aged between 5 and 19, and the second most common for girls of that age” (Wise Up, 2017) demonstrates the need to support our young people.
The increasing pressure on secondary schools to support their students wellbeing and mental health while not receiving funding to achieve this leaves a gap that requires filling. Norman Lamb, former Minister of State for Care & Support has said “We need to make better use of the voluntary and digital services to fill the gaps in a fragmented system.”
This is where Unlimited comes in, our well trained and experienced volunteer mentors seek to work with Secondary schools to support their students to help them achieve social, emotional wellbeing and academic success by overcoming their barriers to success.
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Case Studies
Charlotte interview video
Charles interview transcript
Francesca interview audio
Volunteers from local churches receive comprehensive training and are paired 1-to-1 with pupils identified by the school who are facing barriers to their learning. It provides bespoke support to these pupils, helping them to reach goals set between the mentor and mentee.
“My experience of the mentoring has been very good it has helped me to control my anger and emotions.” St Columba’s Yr 9 Student
100% of students said they would recommend an Unlimited mentor to a friend
“I have noticed a significant difference in (x), he is behaving increasingly more positive and confident. His whole self-esteem has improved and I had a meeting with his mother last week and she is noticing significant improvements with his behaviour and attitude at home too.”
St Columba’s Head of year 7
Statistics for 2018-19
Unlimited Mentor Training Outline
The Unlimited mentor training consists of 12 sessions each 1-hour long over 6 weeks with 2 sessions being delivered each week.
The sessions consist of two main themes;
1. Mentoring skills and techniques
This theme covers topics such as the person-centred approach, active listening, asking powerful questions, the GROW model and creative mentoring tools/techniques among other topics.
2. Young people concerns in schools
This theme covers topic such as Identity, self-esteem, bullying, safeguarding children in schools and how to build the relationship among other topics.
The content of these sessions are grounded in evidence-based approaches and psychological research and have been designed to fully equip mentors to meet the wide range of needs young people are likely to present with.
“All training was important and most valuable”
Trainee Mentor
“The mentoring has helped out with worries about my future as well as insecurities and confidence. My mentor is very nice and supportive and makes me feel comfortable.
I enjoy the mentoring and think that it may help me more in the future.”
Bexleyheath Academy Yr 9 student