Mayor of London announces £10m funding boost to mentor 100,000 kids

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Sadiq Khan has announced funding to enable an “unprecedented” 100,000 young Londoners to have a mentor by the end of 2024, as part of a drive to reduce youth violence in the city.

The Mayor said a £10million funding boost would allow a further 50,000 young people in the capital access to mentoring support.

Those to be offered mentors include children and young people who are not in mainstream education, those who have been excluded from school or college and young people impacted by exploitation, domestic violence, those who are living in poverty and those involved in the care system.

The Mayor had already invested some £24million to provide mentoring support for more than 50,000 young Londoners.

The new total package of £34million was said by City Hall to be the most ever invested by any UK city in providing mentors, and will mean a total of 100,000 young people will have mentoring support by the end of 2024.

“I know first-hand the difference a trusted mentor can make”, said Mr Khan.

“Our record investment will mean that more children, young Londoners and families across the capital will benefit from the life-changing impact of mentoring and coaching.

“Mentors are also absolutely crucial in supporting those most vulnerable to exploitation being drawn into violence.

“This investment will play an important part in our efforts to tackle violence in the capital as we work to build a fairer, more equal city for all Londoners.”

The Mayor first committed to providing mentors for 100,000 young Londoners back in February 2022, as part of his New Deal for Young People. The announcement of fresh funding means he will be able to deliver on that commitment, City Hall said.

(Picture: Pexels/Katerina Holmes)