Intergenerational Mentoring at the University of Strathclyde

A group of senior pupils in a school in a deprived are of Glasgow have been involved in a unique intergenerational mentoring programme.  The group were paired with retired volunteers from the University of Strathclyde Centre for Lifelong Learning.  While many educational initiatives focus on struggling pupils, this one was aimed at those who were doing better, but otherwise might not live up to their potential.

Headteacher, Liz Ervine of Springburn Academy says it is difficult to prove the impact mentors were having on pupils, but her instinct is that the initiative is working.  “You get the gut feeling talking to pupils and mentors, that when you have a relationship with an adult who has been to university, they can give the young people the skills to get there themselves, and when they do get there to survive and pass exams.”  

The offer of support to a high-achieving group rather than to a struggling group of pupils confused some of those involved in the scheme.  In fact, when her Guidance teacher told Olivia Mustard she was going to have a mentor she felt a little insulted.  The 17 year-old, who has started a Religious Studies degree at the University of Glasgow, said “I’ve been involved in buddying younger pupils and thought, “I don’t have any special educational need, do I have a problem? But they explained that it was someone who had gone down the route I wanted to go down and they would give me their experience.”   

Her mentor, Barbara Brown, a retired educational psychologist, believes the success of any type of mentoring is dependent on the inter-personal relationship:  “You want to connect with somebody you are going to work with, that’s the first thing and then it’s very much a matter of hearing what they have to say.”

The mentor gains a lot from the relationship too,  says Ms Brown.  “Olivia and I are still in touch with each other which is delightful.  She makes me feel proud. It’s worked out really well.”

The University of Strathclyde is hopeful the scheme will be adopted by other Glasgow schools based in deprived areas.  As the mentors are volunteers, the costs are very low compared with the potential benefits.