An exploration of a mentoring programme for at-risk adolescents in the West Midlands, UK

Extra-curricular activities, such as playing sport and participating in mentoring programmes, have physical and mental health benefits for individuals. For adolescents particularly, nurturing these interests have potential for positive outcomes in academic attainment and personal development, an increase to self-esteem, and positive development of relationship skills. This study explored the understanding and attitudes that 11 adolescents, aged 13 to 16 years, enrolled on a West Midlands-based charity’s sports and mentoring programme, had towards their participation through the form of semi-structured focus groups. Thematic Analysis was performed, and three key themes were identified: (i) Positive changes to their behaviour, (ii) Connections with the mentors, and (iii) The difference the mentoring programme has made to their lives. The findings demonstrated that the mentoring programme was beneficial and had favourable impact on the adolescents involved, and support the need for such programmes to be further developed and promoted for youth to access.