PHILANTHROPIST Sir Tom Hunter has announced a £7.5 million investment from The Hunter Foundation (THF) to deliver a Scottish Mentoring and Leadership programme for young people in partnership with the Scottish Government.

The charity MCR Pathways will roll out their successful Young Scottish Talent mentoring programme, and social enterprise and charity Columba 1400 will expand its Leadership Academies for Young People to improve education outcomes, career opportunities and life chances.

Overall, the total investment in the programme is £26.9m, which was agreed before the Holyrood election, with the apolitical THF’s commitment withheld until after the poll.

Through the initiative, a network of volunteer mentors will offer tailored support to young people through schools, as the pandemic lockdown eases.

The volunteers will develop strong relationships which are at the heart of the programme and key to helping young people achieve their potential.

Hunter said: “The impact of Covid-19 on our young people has been devastating and we now need, with focus, care and speed, to support them in moving to positive destinations using proven models of support.

“Thankfully we have those models of support in MCR Pathways and Columba 1400 and by combining their skills and support and joining that support up seamlessly with the likes of DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) and SDS (Skills Development Scotland) we believe we can make a massive difference to the 15,000 or so young people this programme will support.

“That impact will not only deliver positive destinations to them but make a material and significant impact on our economy both in savings in service provision and in their moving to a positive destination in employment or further education.”

Shona Robison, the Social Justice Secretary, welcomed THF’s commitment and said it would play a vital role in supporting 15,000 young people in reaching their full potential.

“We know just how much young people have been affected by the pandemic,” she said. “That’s why we’re investing £20m in a programme to help improve the wellbeing of children and young people over the summer months, with a particular focus on those most impacted by the pandemic. But as we head into the recovery and renewal phases of our response to Covid, collaboration will be more important than ever, and this joint investment from the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation shows what can be achieved through strong partnerships”.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with local authorities who want to participate, and will be part of the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, to provide long term support where it is most needed. Marie Clare Tully, chief executive of Columba 1400, said: “We are so grateful that thanks to the kindness and vision of the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation we are working in partnership with MCR Pathways so we can be alongside the incredible young people of Scotland who bring so much to each and every community.

“Mentoring and exploring values-based leadership will lead to young people creating the conditions for change. It will help them open up and become leaders within their families, schools and communities.”

Graeme McEwan, MCR Pathways CEO and mentor, added: “This is a significant and ground-breaking investment in the future of young people across the country and we are delighted by the opportunities it offers to improve the lives of those who need our support most. All young people, no matter their background or circumstances, deserve the right to reach their full potential.

“Mentoring plays a vital role in unlocking this potential and helping to build a more confident, skilled and inclusive generation who will play their full part in the future success of this country.”