Mentoring Thank you

A big EBP thank you to all the mentors, mentees and school co-ordinators who participated in the programme this year. Mentoring is a valuable support tool for young people, and relies on the goodwill of volunteers and often their employers to sustain the programme.

One of the most prolific mentors is Stewart Legg, of South West Trains. Stewart has been mentoring for a number of years at Springfield School, building an excellent working relationship with the staff. In his own words he 'very much enjoys the work' mentoring up to 12 pupils whom he sees from Year 9 through to Year 11. Stewart says 'Two lads have been with me for nearly 3 years and to reach the end of Y11 with all the group intact, represents a big high for me...'

Assistant Head Teacher John Lomas described his contribution to the school. 'Stewart is one of our most experienced mentors and is highly valued by the school. He works with a number of boys who need support and bring with them a lot of emotional 'baggage' into the school . Stewart helps to address this in a way that is highly effective. We communicate verbally or electronically several times a week with the needs of the pupils being foremost in our minds.'

Not only does Stewart get involved in other school events such as Rugby coaching, but he also involves them in his work and as a result South West Trains have taken a number of Springfield pupils on work experience.

The picture below of Stewart with some of his mentees actually features on the curent South West Trains calendar!