City Year Mentor

Will is a former City Year Mentor who served in Greater Manchester from 2023-2024.

Since the pandemic, our role as mentors has become even more crucial with children facing isolation, uncertainty and disruption to their education. One of my pupils captured the essence of what City Year brings. He said, ‘It’s the first time I’ve felt part of something.’

Through the power of connection and belonging, City Year mentors create a sense of community that empowers children to succeed. We not only help them to improve academically but also build social and emotional skills that will benefit them for years to come. Whether running revision sessions or coaching girls’ football, we help create supportive environments that enable children to discover their passions. It is about fostering a culture of belief in the potential of every child we work with and in this act we, as mentors, find fulfilment and a sense of shared community.

We must remember that this annual report is merely the tip of the iceberg – a glimpse into the transformative power of mentorship and the ripple effects that extend far beyond what meets the eye. As we strive to create a brighter future for the children we work with, let us remember that our impact goes beyond numbers and statistics – it lies in the connections we forge, the lives we touch and the legacy of support and understanding that we leave behind. Together, I believe, that as City Year mentors, we can continue to make a difference, one child at a time.