The best of pals as teenagers mentor troubled youngsters

Published on Friday 29 February 2008 09:44

TEENAGERS are helping to act as mentors for disadvantaged younger children in a scheme described as the first of its kind in the city.

Organisers of the project involving pupils from Leith Academy say it is shaping up to be a tremendous success, and have urged other communities to consider a similar venture.

Already 15 youngsters from troubled backgrounds, aged between six and 11, have been paired up with older volunteers, who help them with homework, social skills and educational needs. The Restalrig initiative has made an early impact on the lives of local children that staff said had a range of problems.

Jessica Proctor, family liaison officer at the Inter-School Social Education Project – based at a community hall on Loganlea Drive – said there were benefits for everyone involved. She said: "The children get somewhere to go where they can receive help with all kinds of things, and the older ones who volunteer for us learn a lot from it too.

"There is a lot of demand from Leith Academy, and that is the reason we've not even needed to ask in other schools."

Ms Proctor added she hoped the initiative – funded by the charity Circle – would catch on in other areas. "We're more or less at capacity here, but there's no reason why a similar thing couldn't take place in Piershill, Northfield or Meadowbank," she said.

Already youngsters have repainted the previously grim building with blue skies and rainbows, and the inside is extensively decorated and awash with toys and games. Grandmother Yvonne Ramsay – who is the designated carer for her granddaughter – said the project was of great help to her.

She said: "Before this she was a very angry little girl and had a lot of problems in school, but straight away there have been signs of improvement thanks to this."

The scheme is designed to help those who have problems making friends, are angry or withdrawn or have illnesses and disabilities.

Katrina Panico, 17, who lives in Restalrig and helps out twice a week after school, said: "I heard another pupil talking about it and thought this was a great thing to get involved in. It's a great experience to see how they grow and learn."

Another volunteer, Sonny Smith, 16, also of Restalrig, added: "It's a lot of fun helping out, whether we play football outside or work on the computer."