Young Mentors
The Young Mentors Programme is a progression opportunity for students who have previously taken part in the Young Writers Programme. Young Mentors can build on the skills they have learnt, grow their confidence and leadership skills, and support the next cohort of Young Writers.
This project has helped me boost my confidence by talking about my ideas. It’s also made me improve my leadership skills by taking on responsibilities.
YOUNG MENTOR
She was a good listener and had a calm approach… which helped other students feel comfortable.
WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE, CRANFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Why take part?
Becoming a First Story Young Mentor offers First Story alumni a fun and rewarding way to build on the skills they have learnt through participating in the Young Writers Programme. Young Mentors can act as inspiring role models by encouraging and supporting their peers and wider school community to share their passion for creative writing.
Young Mentors may act as First Story Young Writers Programme ambassadors across their year group or whole school. The elements of choice and adaptability can provide a sense of agency and greater depth of engagement.
It was great to see the less confident mentors growing in confidence greatly and beginning to develop trust in their own original ideas and take pro-active steps to support students in the workshops.
SCHOOL STAFF, CO-OP ACADEMY STOKE-ON-TRENT
What to expect
The Young Mentors resource on our Hub provides helpful prompts for students on getting started, with suggested activities, from facilitating a creative writing workshop alongside their Writer-in-Residence, to running an anthology launch and showcase event.
Through peer-mentoring, Young Mentors can further develop interpersonal, collaboration, and communication skills, in addition to the core programme outcomes of increased confidence, creativity and craft. They can take up further opportunities, including interviewing an author at one of our Young Writers Festivals, earning volunteer hours towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award, and list their achievements in their UCAS application
We want to support participants to go further in developing the interests and skills that they discovered and help them to share these with others.
BETH GODDARD, FIRST STORY’S HEAD OF PROGRAMMES
How to take part
Up to three students per school who have completed the Young Writers Programme can join Young Mentors throughout the year. Click below to sign up your students now.
