Make a referral
We accept referrals to support new children and young people from professionals and from parents and carers.
Mentoring
Parents & Carers
What is youth mentoring?
At The Island, our mentoring programme gives children and young people a safe, supportive space to grow, build confidence, and be themselves. Through one-to-one weekly sessions, your child will be matched with a trained adult mentor who offers consistent emotional and social support. This trusted relationship helps young people feel heard, valued, and enables them grow.
How it works
The journey begins when a professional, or you as a parent or carer, refers your child to The Island because mentoring could be a positive support for them.
Once we receive the referral, a member of our team will arrange a home visit. This is a chance for us to get to know your child and your family a little better, and to understand how mentoring could help.
If we feel mentoring would be beneficial, we’ll carefully match your child with a trained volunteer mentor who shares similar interests. This helps build a strong, trusting connection from the start.
Mentors meet with young people once a week for at least six months. Sessions are flexible and can include a variety of activities out in the community around York.
Mentors aren’t teachers or therapists. They’re consistent, caring adults who are there to support your child emotionally and socially, helping them feel more confident and resilient.
A parent's story
Molly's daughter had a mentor in 2022 and the positive experiences she had are still talked about in the family home.
Become a mentor
Mentoring is one of the most rewarding ways to make a real difference in a young person’s life. You don’t need special qualifications - just the willingness to listen, support, and show up. If you have the time and capacity to mentor, we would love to hear from you.
Questions parents and carers often ask
Will my child be eligible for mentoring support?
We accept referrals for children and young people aged between 8 and 18 who may benefit from extra support. Please take a look at the referral page for more information or contact a member of our team.
How does mentoring benefit my child?
Mentoring helps children and young people to develop positive relationships with trusted adults.
By forming a new relationship with a trained mentor, they can become more confident, improve their self-esteem and feel more secure in themselves.
It can provide them with a listening ear, someone who is outside of their home or school.
They also get to do fun and new activities at the same time.
What kind of activities will my child do with their mentor?
The sessions are completely led by the young person, so they can do whatever they feel like on sessions.
We often see children and young people get up to activities like putt golf or bowling, going to cafes, picnics, attractions in York or days out.
We provide the young person with an activity guide and budget to give them some ideas before they get started.
Are mentors vetted and trained?
Yes, all mentors undergo an enhanced DBS check and receive comprehensive training from The Island team.
All mentors are assigned a Mentor Supervisor, who checks in with the mentor weekly.
Can I meet my child's mentor before sessions begin?
Yes, we have an introduction meeting at your home where we will introduce you and your child to the mentor. This is an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other before mentoring begins.
You will also have your mentors contact number to arrange mentoring sessions.
How long does the mentoring relationship last?
The mentoring relationship will last for six-months.
How often will my child meet their mentor?
Mentoring sessions will take place once a week for between 1 and 3 hours. During school holidays, sessions may be longer if a larger activity is planned. This would only go ahead with your consent.
Mentors will pick your child up from your house, take them out to session and drop them back at your home.
What happens if they can’t attend a session?
We understand sometimes emergencies happen.
If you need to rearrange a session, let the mentor and The Island know and we can help you to rearrange.
Is there a cost involved for my family?
There is no cost for you.
Mentors are able to claim expenses for the sessions.
We fund sessions for up to £15 per week for the activity and £7.50 for travel costs.
If a referral is made for my child, will they definitely get a mentor and how long will it take?
We’d love to support every young person, but due to demand, this isn’t always possible. Once we receive a referral, we assess whether mentoring is the right fit. If not, we’ll guide you to a more suitable service.
If mentoring is appropriate, we’ll arrange a meeting with you and your child to get to know them and to answer any questions. If we can offer support, your child will be added to our waiting list and matched with a mentor who shares similar interests when one becomes available.
As a volunteer-led programme, matching times vary while we train and onboard the right mentor for your child.
Who can I contact if I have concerns or questions?
We have a dedicated team there to support you if you have any questions or concerns during mentoring.
You can call us 01904 or email us at enquires@theislandyork.org
He is a completely different person after his mentoring session. I can actually get a conversation from him afterwards, which to some people this sounds odd, but as a young person who struggles to communicate, its brilliant.
Lynn, parent of a young person
Other ways to support us
Become a volunteer mentor
Do you have 1-3 hours a week to spend support a child or young person in York?
We need ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference to a young person’s life in York.