COVID-19 impacts

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to alter the work that we do and the way we carry this out. For example, some of our mentoring was carried out online via video calls, and we have created multiple new programmes to help young people to cope with the effects of COVID-19 on them and their education.

Changes

Mentoring has changed in a lot of different ways here at YourStory. It is an integral part of the work that we do, so we thought we would let you know about the changes!

Online

Online mentoring is a service we offer if the young people or families that we work with are not comfortable with meeting face to face.

Socially distanced

When we interact with young people and their families, the mentors ensure that they are socially distanced and that they wear masks.

Topics

Since the pandemic began, young people have expressed more worry about their own mental health and fears about not only catching COVID-19, but also about transitioning back to school or transitioning from primary to secondary school after the lockdowns. Young people are also more worried than before about their employability and job options.

The way it works

There has been a lot less group sessions and workshops being run since the beginning of the pandemic. This is to ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of the virus.

online mentoring

Some of our mentoring has been carried out online to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19. We still offer this mentoring option to families and young people who are concerned about catching the virus.

office work

For the staff that are happy to come into the office, we ensure that we are all social distancing from each other and that we all wear masks.

masks and social distancing when in person

Our mentors and family practitioners ensure that when they interact with young people and their families in person, they are all wearing masks and are social distancing.

There have been improvements on questionnaires of young people on in variable amounts on:
'behaviour', 'making the right choice', less class removals', 'attendance', 'relationships with teachers and classmates', 'confidence', 'enjoyment and enthusiasm for school', 'more selective in friendship groups'.

Pastoral Lead

St John Bosco College

'(The students) Are making huge progress and we are so grateful for your work with them. It is obviously having a huge impact.'

'Since the programme has started we have seen a shift in attitude of most of our students.'

Assistant Principal

Lambeth Academy

'YourStory's work has benefitted not only our students but the wider families too with a view ensuring that those who they are supporting reach their full potential.'

'(There is) Trust, reliability and a mutual understanding of need amongst some of our most vulnerable students.'

Pastoral Support

Lilian Baylis Technology School

'I feel that I haven been able to talk about things that I could not talk about before. My mentor has made me feel supported and listened to.'

'They seem to get me and know what to say when I'm feeling sad. I always feel much better.'