Since its launch in 2007, the programme’s volunteer mentors have helped young people to overcome barriers, navigate unique challenges, and create pathways to sustainable futures.

MCR Pathways presently delivers its award-winning mentoring programme in 163 secondary schools, further education and community settings across 22 local authorities in Scotland. The funding will support the reach to all local authorities.

Circa 18,000 young people have been supported by a trusted adult volunteer mentor through MCR Pathways across Scotland since its 2007 foundation.

Thanks to this latest tranche of funding, which was announced at Holyrood during the recent launch of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026–31: Bringing Hope, Brighter Futures, the Glasgow-based charity aims to support thousands more young people to overcome barriers.

The seven-figure backing will support MCR Pathways to roll out of its Trusted Adult Guarantee for up to 5,500 young people across Scotland. Mentoring will support young people to build confidence, resilience and wellbeing as they prepare to navigate their lives out of formal learning, creating relationship support with their future choices and informed career ambitions.

It also deepens the integration of relational mentoring into Scotland’s education and skills system, supporting sustainable pathways into further higher education, training, apprenticeships and employment.

The enhanced mentoring commitment aims to bridge opportunity gaps, deliver life-changing outcomes, and contribute to the Scottish Government’s wider goal of a poverty-free Scotland by giving young people the best chance to reach their ambitions, in the process creating the best chance to break the cycle of poverty.

MCR Pathways’ ambition is to be in every local authority in Scotland as part of its mission to ensure every young person, who needs one, has a trusted adult to help them find a path to a brighter future.

Welcoming the government’s investment, chief executiveofficer, Sharon McIntrye said: “This commitment reflects the shared ambition set out in Scotland’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026–31: Bringing Hope, Brighter Futures, ensuring that every young person has the support, opportunity and confidence to achieve their potential.”

The charity’s programme is well established across the country from the Highlands and Islands to the north east through the central belt and the west. The expansion will see it reach new communities – the south of Scotland will be a key focus area – working side by side with community organisations and national partners to make mentoring more accessible to where young people live, learn and engage in many other aspects of life.

Volunteer mentors will continue to support young people through critical transitions beyond school, helping them navigate education, apprenticeship, training, work and career pathways.

The programme has been declared a resounding success by participants with 99% of young people responding to the charity’s latest survey sharing that their mentor was a good role model, 98% said mentoring helped them be the best version of themselves, while 95% said the experience improved their confidence.

“For many young people, particularly those facing the barriers that poverty can create, having a consistent and trusted adult in their corner can be transformational,” Ms McIntyre added. “Through mentoring, young people build belief in themselves, recognise their unique talents, and begin to see new possibilities for their futures.

“Every mentoring relationship is unique and shaped around the individual needs, strengths and aspirations of the young person. By connecting volunteer mentors with young people across Scotland, we are helping them develop ambition, resilience and pathways into education, employment and fulfilling careers.

“This investment will allow us to continue expanding this vital support, ensuring even more young people can benefit from trusted relationships that offer connection, encouragement and open doors to flourishing futures.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority – our firm belief is that no child should be hindered by circumstances beyond their control.
 
“The MCR Pathways project provides invaluable support to young people facing disadvantage, including those with care experience, helping them to flourish. I am pleased we are providing this support to an organisation that ensures young people have the opportunities to fulfil their ambitions.”