The study was conducted in the context of PROMISE - a voluntary scheme, in the
southwest of England which provides mentors for a young person for a period of
up to 2 years. Predominantly these youngsters had experienced a range of
difficulties in their lives including periods in care, severe problems in their
families, trouble with the police and mental health problems. Each young person
is allocated a mentor who has regular contact with them offering activities,
support and informal counselling. Although the general response to the scheme
has been positive it was felt that there was a gap of understanding about how
the young people experienced the scheme. An exploratory qualitative study was
commissioned to explore how a sample of the young people, who had been involved
in the mentoring scheme for a substantial period, experienced the process of
mentoring. The study involved interviews with six young people and group
discussions with mentors and staff. Generally, the experience was reported by
the young people to be highly favourable with the development of a positive,
consistent, available, trusting and caring relationship cited as key
ingredients. These findings were supported by discussion with the mentors. The
study suggests that attachment theory is helpful in explaining the mentoring
process and in promoting ideas for future developments.
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