34 young people at four Stevenage schools are waiting for a mentor. MCR Pathways asks for an hour a week in school, and training and the DBS check are free.
Thirty-four young people at four Stevenage secondary schools are waiting to be paired with a supportive adult, and the charity that runs mentoring in their schools is looking for caring local volunteers to take them on.
MCR Pathways wrote to Stevenage Today asking us to carry the appeal. The 34 young people are at Barnwell School, Marriotts School, Nobel School and Thomas Alleyne Academy, and each one has already been identified and is ready and waiting to be matched, according to Ernest Moses, the charity’s Partnerships Manager for Hertfordshire.
The current need in Stevenage
Across the four schools in this appeal, 140 volunteers are already mentoring young people, the charity says: 33 at Barnwell, 33 at Marriotts, 37 at Nobel and 37 at Thomas Alleyne. A further 20 are matched at Barclay Academy, which takes the total across its five Stevenage partner schools to 160.
The 34 still needed are:
- Barnwell School: 8 mentors
- Marriotts School: 9 mentors
- Nobel School: 10 mentors
- Thomas Alleyne Academy: 7 mentors
“For somebody who lives or works in or around Stevenage, giving just one hour each week can provide a young person with a consistent adult who listens, encourages them and helps them build confidence in themselves and their future,” Mr Moses said.
Why September matters
MCR Pathways welcomes new volunteers throughout the year, and its target for this appeal is to have the 34 recruited by the end of September. That is a target, not a cut-off for applications.
The reason for the timing is the time it takes to get ready. Registering during September, the charity says, gives it the best chance of completing the checks, training and matching so that new mentors can begin supporting young people during this school term.
The journey from registration to being ready for a match usually takes around six weeks. It includes a conversation with the MCR Pathways team, references, a DBS check, mentor training and safeguarding training.
What does mentoring involve?
Mentors give one hour a week during the school day, throughout term time. The charity asks for a commitment of at least a year.
No previous mentoring experience or special qualifications are required. “What matters most is being consistent, willing to listen and able to encourage a young person over time,” Mr Moses said.
MCR Pathways provides full training, pays for the DBS check and offers ongoing support throughout the mentoring relationship.
The charity says the programme “includes group work in Years 7 and 8”, which are the first two years of secondary school.
Where the scheme runs
MCR Pathways “launched locally in 2021”, Mr Moses said, and the four schools in this appeal sit inside a wider Hertfordshire programme. Alongside them the charity works with Barclay Academy in Stevenage, Haileybury Turnford in Cheshunt, Simon Balle in Hertford, Astley Cooper and Longdean in Hemel Hempstead, and Tring School.
The poster carries the Scottish charity number SC045816.
How to become a mentor
You can find out more about the role at mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor, or register directly at mcrpathways.org/register. Anyone who would rather talk it through first can call the charity’s Hertfordshire office on 07743 513152.
The school-by-school figures in this article are the charity’s own.
Updated 22 September 2026: the minimum commitment of a year, and a phone number for anyone who wants to ask about the role first, have been added at the charity’s request.
Frequently asked questions
How many young people are waiting for a mentor in Stevenage?
34. They are at four schools: eight at Barnwell, nine at Marriotts, ten at Nobel and seven at Thomas Alleyne. Each has already been identified and is waiting to be matched.
How much time does being a mentor take?
One hour a week, during the school day, throughout term time, for at least a year. No previous mentoring experience or special qualifications are needed.
Do mentors pay for the DBS check?
No. MCR Pathways pays for the DBS check, and provides full training and ongoing support.
Is the end of September a deadline to apply?
No. It is the charity’s target for this appeal, and it welcomes new volunteers throughout the year. Registering in September gives new mentors the best chance of starting this school term.
How long does it take to be ready for a match?
About six weeks. That covers a conversation with the MCR Pathways team, references, a DBS check, mentor training and safeguarding training.
Which Stevenage schools take part?
Barnwell School, Marriotts School, Nobel School, Thomas Alleyne Academy and Barclay Academy. The first four are the ones in this appeal.
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