YMCA Edinburgh has secured a £10,000 donation from Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation to expand the charity’s one-to-one mentoring services for vulnerable young people aged between 8 to 14 years who do not meet the criteria of ongoing mentoring programmes.
The programme will support young people who have endured adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s). ACE’s refers to highly traumatic experiences and events in childhood, including absence of parents – whether by death or abandonment – and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
A recent study issued in 2016 by the Scottish Public Health Network highlighted the life-long impacts on the health and wellbeing of those who have experienced ACE’s. Young people who have been subjected to ACE’s have higher risks of poor educational attainment and employment prospects as well as mental and physical health problems.
They are also almost four times more likely to smoke and drink heavily, and almost nine times more likely to face imprisonment when compared to individuals who have not been exposed to ACE’s.
The funding will enable 10 young people to receive mentoring support for one whole year. The charity believes this highly dedicated service will support these young people to improve their mental health and educational engagement and outcomes.
Mentors will meet with each person in the community on a weekly basis to help them engage in daily activities which safeguard their mental and physical welfare by providing anger and stress management strategies and guidance in setting goals in terms of educational attainment.
Acting Association Manager for YMCA Edinburgh Michael Kerracher says: “Research evidence suggests a long-term mentoring relationship can have significant positive impact on these young people’s lives through building resilience.
“For vulnerable young people, resilience can be built by introducing the protective factors offered in community-based one-to-one mentoring. This builds a supporting relationship between the mentor and the young people, helping them to understand and make sense of their situation and work out how to manage and resolve conflict.
“Scottish Government findings show by providing young people with the opportunity to build trusting relationships with adults increases their chances of re-engagement in education, with mentoring being the first step in this journey.”
Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving for Aberdeen Standard Investments, (above) said: “We are very pleased to be able to support YMCA Edinburgh’s mentoring programme which will directly benefit 10 young people and, in turn, their families in the local community of Edinburgh.
“The programme will also help raise awareness about young people’s mental health and will encourage the community to implement strategies to protect the mental and physical wellbeing of our younger generations. We encourage mentoring internally and many colleagues – at all levels of the business and at different stages in their careers – take the opportunity to work with a mentor to develop as individuals both within and out with the workplace.
“We also offer mentoring as a volunteering activity. Mentoring has a positive impact on many people at very different times in their lives so this is a highly appropriate opportunity for us.”
The Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact. It encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects.
For more information visit
http://aboutus.aberdeen-asset.com/en/aboutus/responsible-business/aberdeen-charitable
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