Testimonials
The impact of YourStory’s work is best told through the voices of those who have experienced it firsthand. The testimonials below reflect the real difference that dedicated mentoring can make — rebuilding confidence, turning around behaviour, and opening doors to a brighter future. We are proud to share the kind words of our partners, supporters, and the communities we serve.
I would like to reiterate the message and thank you… for welcoming us to hear the stories from the mentors about the great work they do, the challenges they face and the experiences of young people supported by them. Dame Carol was grateful for the opportunity to meet people face to face to discuss these issues.
The Home Office & Dame Carol Black
Government Independent Drugs Review
LBTS would like to thank YourStory for all the hard work that they have put in with regard to planning, conducting and evaluating their 1:1 work with our students. (Mentors) Have been able to build up strong relationships with their respective mentees which has resulted in students feeling focused and empowered to make positive change. (Mentors) Have been professional and courteous throughout the process and it has been a pleasure working with them.
Lilian Baylis Technology School
Local Lambeth School
Thank you for the support meetings and the email regarding organisations that help ex-offenders. I have found them very helpful and supportive. I will use the websites and information to find employment.
Testimonial from an ex-prisoner
Cicely Northcote HMP prison project
Meeting Mo Farah
YourStory met Mo Farah and he was very impressed with the work that we do. He is pictured here with our CEO and founder, Adrian Jones.
Meeting Dame Carol Black
YourStory met Dame Carol when she was conducting the Government Independent Drugs Review with the Home Office. She was very interested and pleased with the work that we do.
‘We got to learn about real-life situations.’, ‘It taught me not to go to the extreme.’, ‘I liked being able to express my decisions without being judged.’, ‘I liked how we made our own decisions.’, ‘I liked the workshop teacher’s attitude.’
Feedback from young people
As part of The Big Q project (2019)
I’ve seen a tremendous change in him and I’m really happy. I’m really grateful to YourStory for assisting him through thick and thin. When everybody else lost hope in him YourStory kept coming.
Parental feedback
Parent of a young person we worked with
The students enjoyed all the sessions they attended. N/A areas to improve on. (One of the mentors) has helped our students feel more confident about themselves. They always communicated very well with me and was very flexible when all the challenges this year brought. One student in particular has turned their behaviour around. They are much more focused in class and enjoys being at school more than ever before.
Year 10 Progress Leader at St-Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls
As part of the Walcot Programme (ongoing)
Daley Thompson - Double Olympic GB Gold Medalist
Daley Thompson is a former Olympic athlete: he met with YourStory and was also very impressed with the work that we do.
Florence Eshalomi (MP for Lambeth)
Florence Eshalomi has supported our work for several years. She was instrumental in support for our application for a young people and community development centre and in our work at reducing offending behaviour. She has repeatedly offered her time for a round table discussion with community organisations, agencies and funders to tackle the issue of youth crime.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the mentor’s work with 2 students at City Heights – they are really enjoying the mentoring service they provide. I’m happy to write up the valuable service you provide to our students.
Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Family Liasion Lead
City Heights Academy
YourStory mentors have been a consistent intervention to some of our most vulnerable and in need students. The mentors have been able to build a positive relationship in a short period of time which has led to students being honest about their home lives and challenges they face inside and outside of school.
Assistant Principal
Lambeth Academy
They have seen big improvements recently. (They) Have been a pleasure around the academy and have received shout outs from teachers as have shown honourable leadership qualities. They have also been helping others out in class, (done) great work and their moods have gotten so much better!
Head of year 9
Lambeth Academy
(Due to the mentoring) Both boys achieved GCSE Maths and English…they also achieved ICT Functional Skills Level 1 and undertook GCSE statistics, again passing.
Teacher at Platanos College
As part of the Wraparound Project
This parent feels that this session was great to attend, very understandable, they feel supported, has enjoyed the session, feels they have been heard.
Parental feedback
From a parent who attended the Walcot Family Forum as part of the Walcot Project
I’ve really enjoyed doing carpentry. I’d never tried it before and it was fun.
Young person
Who took part in a carpentry workshop
YourStory mentors have been a consistent intervention to some of our most vulnerable and in need students.
The mentors have been able to build a positive relationship in a short period of time which has led to students being honest about their home lives and challenges they face inside and outside of school.
Since the programme has started we have seen a shift in attitude of most of the students.
Assistant Principal
Lambeth Academy
The boys mentored by YourStory were disengaging in mainstream and they flourished at YourStory.
This was very much to do with the mentoring of pupils where the staff listen to the pupils and teach them skills of how to adapt to different situations.
The attendance and punctuality was very good and they were then able to sit all exams. If the boys were stressed the mentors sat with them and offered breakfast as a way of alleviating the stress.
Teacher
Platanos College
The work the mentors did with the young people is phenomenal! As we work with troubled young people, somehow the mentors are extremely patient, professional and able to get through to the young person. Two brothers were able to turn away from crime. They are both earning money legitimately. (The mentors) Involvement during the LAC review meetings with the local authority made such an impact that unprecedented decisions were made to support the brothers. They support young people at all levels including resolving issues with their benefits especially UC.
Working with these two professionals brings so much confidence that you can look at a young person who one has lost hope on, in a positive light.
Deputy Manager
Centrepoint charity