Case Study 2

Alison's Story

Alison has been a supported as a mentee from the age of 14. She came to the Toc H Youth Mentoring Scheme as her family found her behaviour increasingly difficult to live with. She stayed out late, constantly argued with her father and other authority figures, became sexually active and caused disruptions in both her home life with her siblings and also to her school.

Alison was quite musical and her appointed mentor, Patric, saw this as an opportunity to engage with her as he had previously worked as a sound technician. She was given advice and guidance about dealing with confrontation, responsibility and consequences as well as some stern words about sexual health and legal age for activity.

Frequently, where the seeds of change have germinated later in the young person's life, the realisation of positive behavioural change takes some time. Unfortunately, things spiralled downwards for Alison and at the age of 16 she was asked to leave home. Patric was called on to help her find alternative accommodation, but she them became involved in selling drugs.

After a year of alienation from her family, Alison got into trouble with her drug dealer and came back to Toc H for help. Patric and another Toc H mentor, Charmaine, liaised with Alison's father and paved the way for reconciliation.

With their continued support, Alison is now living independently, has a fruitful relationship with the whole of her family, has a part-time job and is now accessing further education.

"If it wasn't for Patric and Charmaine, I would have lost everything," said Alison. "Thanks to them, drugs are in my past and I'm now reunited with my family."

Toc H Youth Initiatives

There is a growing need for mentoring services in education. Toc H aims to support the increasing numbers of young people who, for various reasons are disaffected and disengaging from schools and compromising their education. Those young people who find themselves at risk of exclusion and those who struggle to successfully make the transition into secondary and further eduction.

The benefits of mentoring are fundamental to ensuring that the next generation are empowered, healthy and productive citizens.

Toc H aims to holistically help young people, whether they have a high or low ability, behavioural or social problems, to best develop and utilise their natural talents and capabilities in a constructive way to benefit themselves, their families and their communities. It also aims to motivate children and young people to achieve their educational goals for better future life chances.