ReachOut is a mentoring charity working with 9-18year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds in London and Manchester. Young people are referred to ReachOut by their schools because they are disengaged o…
ReachOut is a mentoring charity working with 9-18year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds in London and Manchester. Young people are referred to ReachOut by their schools because they are disengaged or underachieving. ReachOut helps them to develop their character and improve their academic attainment through long-term, one-to-one mentoring with positive, volunteer role models.
ReachOut works in schools where over 50% of the students are eligible for free school meals and mentees meet weekly with their mentors at after-school projects that take place in their schools. The mentees work one-to-one with their mentors to improve their numeracy and literacy as well as taking part in fun, group activities to improve on the four ReachOut character strengths: self-control, staying power, good judgement and fairness. ReachOut gives disadvantaged young people the individual support they need to achieve their potential and go on to lead good and happy lives.
Since 2011, 69% of mentees receiving free school meals achieved 5 A*-Cs at GCSE, compared to just 34% nationwide. Furthermore, more than 99% mentees are in education, training or employment 6 months after leaving Year 11, and 100% of teachers worked with said that ReachOut had a positive effect on pupils’ personal development.