Our Story

Founded as an official charity in October 2014, Reach Mentoring was built upon the unity of youth workers within the Lurgan area who for ten years previously came together on a weekly basis to provide support for the young people within their local secondary school.

Working with around 15 pupils in one school in 2014, Reach Mentoring now provides mentoring to approximately 500 young on a weekly basis across 46 schools by equipping the local community to support and walk alongside young people from the age of 9-18 within local schools the ABC Council and Dungannon areas. We are so thankful for the growth that has occurred. Led by an invested board of directors, a team of highly skilled staff, who carry energy and passion, release a vital team of volunteer mentors who consistently turn up in the lives of these young people.

Reach Mentoring is about journeying alongside young people throughout life’s path and all of its twists and turns, highs and lows, the celebrations and disappointments it brings. The reality is that our mentors are going into school, sitting alongside and chatting to young people who are currently struggling through difficult life circumstances. This can look like:  

• Actively listening to the young person who has such low self esteem and confidence, that they are struggling to see a future for themselves

• A young person struggling to come to school due to feeling anxious about the day ahead

• The grief of losing a family member

• Feeling so low that they feel life isn’t worth living any more

• Continually wrestling with how they think they look and feel about themselves and the impact this is having on their everyday life

• The need to create a safe space in which a young person can feel comfortable to disclose their current situation and the impact it is having.