CLYDEBANK youth workers have told a national audience how successful their mentoring programmes have become.

Staff from charity Y Sort It spoke earlier recently at the Scottish Mentoring Network event in Edinburgh about their Buddy Up and Intandem projects.

Buddy Up is peer mentoring for young people aged 14-26 who have have experienced at least three months in care. Intandem is for youngsters aged eight to 14 who are on a supervision order and living at home with parents.

Lyndsey Coleman, Buddy Up co-ordinator, and Intandem mentoring co-ordinator Katie Walsh were guest speakers along with Buddy Up mentor Jason Smith to talk about the difference the schemes can make.

Lyndsey Coleman, Buddy Up co-ordinator, told the Post: “We spoke about how mentors work with their mentee to work towards a goal.

“For example, a young person had wanted to become more active but was a bit apprehensive about going to anything by herself. Her mentor then arranged for them both to do a gym induction. They then went along to the gym a few times until the young person built up confidence to go herself.

“Jason spoke about his experience in having a mentor when he was younger and how this made him want to become one himself.

“We also showed a short video at the end of current mentors, mentees and West Dunbartonshire mentoring coordinator Joe McGinley speaking on how mentoring has impacted on the mentees.”

Buddy Up also received their Quality Award at the event, showing the project is applying good practice in all their areas of work. West Dunbartonshire Mentoring also wom awards including project of the year and outstanding employee for Joe McGinley.