A new mentoring programme aimed at helping vulnerable young people reconnect with education is launching in Birmingham. Led by Birmingham City University (BCU), the initiative brings together Barnardo’s, Liminal Education, Reach Out to Kids (ROK), and Our Place Support to provide vital mentoring and guidance to students at risk of disengagement.
Our Place Support, a well-established community organisation in Sutton Coldfield, will play a key role in delivering the initiative. Specialising in mentoring and wellbeing, the organisation has extensive experience supporting young people facing personal challenges, economic hardship, or a lack of educational support. Through structured one-on-one and group mentoring, Our Place Support aims to boost confidence, develop aspirations, and help young people stay engaged with their education.
The initiative will connect young people with mentors—including university students and professionals—who will provide advice, career insights, and emotional support.
Kelly Round, CEO of Our Place Support CIC, said: “We have seen firsthand how the past five years have impacted young people’s education and wellbeing as they navigated the Covid pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and wider societal uncertainty.
“Through this partnership, we will use our expertise to recruit and train mentors with lived experience to provide young people with the mentoring support they need to rebuild confidence, rediscover learning, and move forward with a sense of possibility.”
The Organisations Behind the Initiative
Alongside Our Place Support, several other key charities are contributing their expertise:
- Barnardo’s – One of the UK’s largest children’s charities, Barnardo’s provides essential services for vulnerable young people, including support for education, mental health, and career development.
- Liminal Education – A specialist organisation focused on alternative education and mentoring, helping young people develop resilience and practical skills to succeed in both education and life.
- Reach Out to Kids (ROK) – A charity dedicated to empowering young people from underrepresented backgrounds by offering mentorship, career workshops, and networking opportunities.
By working together, these organisations will provide a strong support network for young people who may otherwise struggle to stay in education. The project is set to launch this year, with hopes of expanding to help even more students in the future.
For more information on Our Place Support and how to get involved, visit Our Place’s website.