A MENTORING charity working with school pupils at Auchenharvie Academy is to expand to six other schools in the area.

MCR Pathways will now roll out to offer the mentoring and care service to pupils at Irvine Royal Academy, St Matthew’s Academy, Ardrossan Academy, Greenwood Academy and Garnock Community Campus this year.

And they need people to give up an hour of their time to become a mentor.

MCR Pathways helps young people, including those who are care-experienced or have experienced disadvantage, to build aspirations and fulfil their potential.

Through the Young Ayrshire Talent programme, young people are encouraged to stay on in school, get the most from their education and progress with confidence to college, university and employment of their

choice.

Young people are matched with a volunteer mentor who helps them build confidence, overcome challenges, focus on their education and embark on a positive future.

Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week, for a minimum of one year and will be trained locally, before being matched with a young person from a nearby school.

Matches are based on sharing some common interests, having similar personalities or shared life experiences.

Graeme McEwan, CEO of MCR Pathways, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be expanding our Young Ayrshire Talent Programme and to be reaching more young people in the area.

“We are now looking for mentors to help and would be delighted to hear from local people who are able

to give just one hour a week.”

If you can spare an hour a week and would like to become a mentor, you can find out more about the project by visiting://mcrpathways.org/