Life as a young person today isn’t easy. For many, the weight of school, home life, and mental health struggles can feel overwhelming. It’s all too common for students to lose hope, disengage from school, and feel like giving up. But this is exactly where the right mentor can make all the difference.
A great mentor shows up with genuine care and a real desire to help young people aspire to a brighter future.
At Lexia Education Services, our mentors know that optimism isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s something that can be nurtured, rebuilt, and inspired in young people who might be struggling to see a way forward.
Re-engaging Students Through Mentoring
When a student starts to lose interest in school, the consequences can be far-reaching. Not just in missed lessons, but in self-worth, motivation, and mental health. Lexia mentors work one-to-one with students to help them re-engage with learning, rediscover their strengths, and most importantly – believe in themselves.
How Mentoring Helps Students
Mentoring helps students:
- Set small, achievable goals
- Build confidence through encouragement
- Talk openly about their worries
- Reconnect with education in a way that feels meaningful
This is not about quick fixes. It’s about consistent, caring support that reminds every young person that they matter.
Working Together: Mentors and Schools
Our mentors don’t work in isolation. We partner closely with schools to create positive environments where students feel safe, seen, and supported.
By working alongside teachers, pastoral teams, and SENCOs, our mentors help ensure that the support students receive is joined-up and holistic.
Positive Impact of School Partnerships
Together, we help:
- Reduce behaviour issues
- Improve attendance
- Create a culture of care where every student can thrive
This collaborative approach is key to building trust and lasting change.
The Urgent Need: Supporting SEMH and SEN Students
Right now, the need for mentoring support is more urgent than ever.
Why Mentoring Matters Now
- Exclusion rates in England remain high, with thousands of students permanently excluded each year.
- Youth violence continues to be a rising concern, with over 49,000 knife crime offences recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024.
- Students with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs or Special Educational Needs (SEN) are at significantly higher risk of exclusion and disengagement.
These young people need more than discipline. They need understanding, empathy, and consistent encouragement.
Mentors Who Understand Because They’ve Been There
One of the things that makes Lexia’s mentoring so powerful is that many of our mentors have lived experience.
They know what it’s like to face a difficult start in life.
Real-Life Experience That Inspires Change
- Growing up in challenging home environments
- Struggling in school
- Facing pressure from peers, including gang involvement
These mentors have turned their lives around and now use their experiences to give back. They show young people that change is possible, that setbacks don’t define you, and that with the right support, brighter futures are within reach.
This is exactly why we do what we do.
Could You Be the Next Mentor?
Every young person deserves someone who believes in them. Someone to remind them of their worth, their potential, and their ability to rise above challenges.
At Lexia Education Services, we’re always looking for people with heart, resilience, and the desire to make a difference. If you believe in the power of care, encouragement, and second chances – maybe you could be the next mentor who helps a student stay optimistic and find their path.
Find out more about becoming a Lexia mentor and supporting young people in your community.
