Sir Sadiq Khan hits target with mentoring programme supporting 100,000 young people

Today, the Mayor of London announced that his £34million mentoring programme reached its target of supporting 100,000 young people across the capital. 

The scheme, which is part of the Mayor’s New Deal for Young People (NDYP), was launched to “provide positive opportunities for young people” and “tackle the underlying causes of crime”.

Sir Sadiq said: “I know first-hand the difference a trusted mentor can make to a young person’s life.

“I would like to thank the dedicated mentors and organisations we’ve worked with to achieve this target – it is their contributions that have and will continue to make such a difference to young Londoners.”

The mentoring has been provided by more than 150 youth organisations across the capital, using funding from City Hall and London’s Violence Reduction Unit.

Thousands of young Londoners, aged between 10 and 24, have received either one-to-one sessions, group classes in schools and youth clubs and hubs or online engagement. 

Mentoring sessions are tailored dependent on the needs and interests of young people and focus on subjects like music, sport, creative arts, education and careers.

Sir Sadiq said: “While I’m proud of our work so far, there is still a huge amount I want to do working with partners to ensure all young Londoners are supported and can grow up to fulfil their potential. Continuing to provide young Londoners with mentors will remain a vital part of ensuring we can build a safer and fairer London for everyone.”

The announcement comes one week after 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to death on a 472 bus in Woolwich.

Following Kelyan’s death, City Hall said that the Mayor is “more determined than ever” to provide positive opportunities for young Londoners, tackle the causes of crime and invest in the police.

Sir Sadiq said: “While I’m proud of our work so far, there is still a huge amount I want to do working with partners to ensure all young Londoners are supported and can grow up to fulfil their potential.”

According to City Hall, the number of teenagers killed in 2024 was 12, down from 21 the year before and lowest recorded since 2012. 

The number of homicides for those aged under 25 in 2024 was also the lowest in 22 years.

But figures from the Ben Kinsella Trust show that, up to June of last year, offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in London had risen by 16 per cent over 2024.

Lib Peck, director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit and co-chair of the NDYP mission, said: “The Mayor set up the New Deal for Young People mission during the pandemic to boost mentoring and to ensure every young Londoner in need of support had access to a trusted adult for support and guidance.

“We have seen the life-changing impact this relationship can have on a young person, sometimes at a time of crisis.

 “That’s why I’m really proud that with the Mayor’s investment and working in partnership with organisations across London, we’ve been able to deliver high-quality mentoring for 100,000 young people to help support them fulfil their potential.”

Pictured top: Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan (Picture: PA)