For many young girls in the programme, having a mentor is the first time they have felt listened to.
Our mentees said:
“Y’s Girls help to show me I am not alone.” Mentee, YMCA Tayside
“I had been getting bullied quite a lot and experiencing family stuff. […] Things are really getting better. I’ve noticed within myself that I’m feeling a lot happier.” Mentee, YMCA Cardiff
“I really don’t want this project to end” Mentee, YMCA East Surrey
Your generosity will enable us to support more vulnerable young women and girls at risk of poor mental health so they can access 12 months (40 sessions, 80 hours) of sessions, where they can meet regularly and work together with their dedicated mentor.
At Y’s Girls, mentors and mentees work together to identify achievable goals that will empower the girls and young women and help build their resilience so they can lead fulfilling lives.
It is an informal environment, built on trust and connection, where young girls can discuss anything that might be worrying them, from family and personal relationships to lifestyle and education.
An external evaluation, conducted by the Centre for Youth Impact, found that Y’s Girls positively impacts upon six social and emotional learning skills that are indicative of better short and long-term mental health, and that it is a young-person centered and inclusive programme, with a clear relationship between quality and impact.
Please support the programme today and help change the lives of more young women and girls.
And it’s not just mentees that are experiencing the benefits.
Mentors across the project noticed a huge increase in their confidence, and many are pursuing a career in youth work.
“I’ve now got employment working with in a female children’s home, it’s definitely because of this programme. Firstly, for having the experience on my CV, but secondly, I now feel confident – I wouldn’t have gone for that job before. Having this programme, the training and working with someone, having the support we’ve had, it’s given me confidence.” Mentor, Southend
“[Y’s Girls] played a big part in cementing youth work as an ideal job for me.” Mentor, Tayside
Your help today will make a huge difference to young women and girls across YMCA, in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
