Clydebank service in need of volunteers to mentor care kids

Now 16 years old, River Nicol (not her real name) and her sister were referred for help to Y Sort It through intandem, a national service that looks to couple up vulnerable youths with volunteer adults. 

The initiative aims to fill the gap an absent parent or family member might leave behind in children aged between eight and 14, specifically those living at home (under a compulsory supervision order) or with extended family – known as kinship care. 

The hub on Y Sort It has loads to do in it (Image: Tom Grant)

Mentors can hang with the young people they are looking after in Clydebank (Image: Tom Grant)

The programme – which is funded by the Scottish Government and The Robertson Trust - works alongside Y Sort It in West Dunbartonshire, who train and match volunteer mentors with children and young people in the community. 

River admits being referred to the mentoring scheme days before her 15th birthday was one of the best things that could have happened to her at a difficult period in her life. 

Speaking exclusively to the Clydebank Post, she said: “Before I was closed off and I didn’t really know how to talk to people. 

“But then afterwards, I’ve got so used to talking to new people and I don’t feel as shy anymore. 

“I think if I didn’t come to this, I wouldn’t be as open or I wouldn’t have as many friends as I wouldn’t be able to talk. 

“It has made me really happy.” 

Before adding: “It gives me a safe person to go to, someone who I can trust.” 

River has had two mentors since she was referred to the service in October 2022 when she and her sister were living with grandparents. 

Now with her uncle, the vibrant youngster has employment at the prestigious Cameron House lined up as well as plans to go to college when she finishes school. 

There are around 40 children currently in the scheme with only eight matched with a mentor (Image: Tom Grant)

River says the mentoring has changed her life (Image: Tom Grant)

And she revealed she credits a lot of the upturn in her fortunes to her latest mentor - a 21-year-old student - who she hopes to be friends with for life. 

“I was a little nervous because I didn’t know them at the time, but it turned out good,” River continued. 

“Me and my newest mentor just instantly clicked, we just became so close. 

“I think it was because we are closer in age, and we have similar interests.” 

River’s story highlights the good the service can do for children who have had a difficult start to life and need supportive, caring relationships to thrive. 

However, the service in West Dunbartonshire is currently in dire need of volunteers to help with mentoring. 

At the moment, some children and young people are waiting months after being referred to get matched, due to the lack of volunteers. 

Gemma Subryan from Y Sort It explained River’s story shows what can be achieved with the programme. 

There is also a quiet room where people can chill and relax (Image: Tom Grant)

She said: “A lot of the kids that come here have got very harrowing backgrounds; a lot has happened to them in their small lives. 

"This could be chronic illness, mental health problems or a death in the family – all things that can make it harder to give children the best care and support.

“They’ve never really had a consistent adult offering them support and love and consistency. 

“The ideal aim is, anybody who is over the age of 18 who can be a positive role model, someone consistent, who can commit to support the child for a year.” 

And finished: “Everybody deserves that positive relationship with an adult in their life.” 

Volunteers are asked for just an hour a week to help a kid and are given a budget to spend on activities they would like to do, like a trip, an interest they both share, cycling, gym, or out for a hot drink for a catch-up or a visit to the cinema.

As well as this, the Y Sort It Youth Centre is filled with things to do, with an open kitchen available to bake and cook, arts & crafts, a pool table, a projector for watching films and video games consoles.

Callum Shipcott, Kinship Co-ordinator at Y Sort It, who met River at a Subway when she was first referred, reiterated what a difference a mentor can make to a young life. 

He noted: “I’ve known River since day one, from when she first joined to now, and I have seen a massive change in her.

“When she was referred initially, she was quiet, shy and apprehensive.

“Now, she is full of life, confident and positive about the future.”

To find out more about volunteering contact Gemma Subryan, gemma@ysortit.com or call the main Y sort it office on 0141 941 3308