For many young people, the summer holidays bring freedom, rest and time with friends. But for those who rely on a mentor, tutor or trusted professional, the long break can feel different.
Summer support for vulnerable youth matters because the end of term can also mean the sudden loss of routine, regular check-ins and a safe space to talk. Without preparation, six weeks can feel uncertain and overwhelming.
Planning ahead does not mean filling every day with work. It means helping a young person feel safe, connected and able to make positive choices.
If a young person you support is approaching the summer break, Lexia can help you create a mentoring plan that reflects their individual needs.
Why Summer Support for Vulnerable Youth Matters
School and mentoring sessions often give young people clear points in their week. They know where they need to be, who they will see and what is expected of them.
When this structure disappears, some young people may:
- Stay awake late and sleep through the day
- Become more isolated
- Spend most of their time online
- Lose confidence in their learning
- Feel anxious about returning to school
- Find it harder to manage difficult emotions
Familiar routines can help young people feel calmer when life feels uncertain. Even small amounts of structure can make a difference.
Imagine a young person who normally meets their mentor every Wednesday. That meeting gives them a chance to talk through problems and recognise what they have achieved.
When the meetings stop without a clear plan, Wednesday becomes an empty day. But when the young person has agreed activities, trusted contacts and personal goals, that same day can still have purpose.
Prepare Before Mentor or Tutor Support Ends
The best summer plan starts before the final session. Mentors, tutors, parents and carers should involve the young person rather than making every decision for them.
Create a simple summer plan
Ask the young person what they are looking forward to and what they are worried about. Their answers can guide the support plan.
Together, agree:
- Two or three goals for the summer
- A realistic daily routine
- Safe people they can contact
- Local activities they may enjoy
- How they will continue practising key skills
- A plan for the first week back
Keep the plan somewhere easy to see. It could be printed, saved on their phone or displayed as a simple calendar.
The plan should provide guidance without making the young person feel controlled.
Agree trusted points of contact
Every young person should know who they can speak to if they feel worried, unsafe or overwhelmed.
Before the holidays, write down:
- Names of trusted adults
- Safe contact numbers
- Local support services
- What to do in an emergency
- When regular services will reopen
Make sure the young person understands that asking for help is a positive action.
End mentoring positively
The final session should not feel like support has suddenly disappeared.
Use it to reflect on progress. Remind the young person of the skills they have developed and the challenges they have already handled.
A mentor might also prepare a short strengths card containing statements such as:
- “I can pause before reacting.”
- “I know who to contact.”
- “I have managed difficult weeks before.”
- “I can take one step at a time.”
These reminders can help young people recognise that the mentor’s guidance has become part of their own toolkit.
What Young People Can Do During Summer
A positive summer does not need to be expensive or highly organised. Small, regular actions can protect wellbeing and build confidence.
Keep a flexible routine
A summer routine should include regular times for waking up, eating, getting outside and relaxing.
It does not need to copy the school day. The goal is to stop each day from blending into the next.
Young people could choose three daily anchors:
- Get dressed by a set time.
- Complete one useful activity.
- Spend some time away from screens.
A calm bedtime routine can also support better sleep. NHS guidance suggests winding down before bed and reducing the use of phones, tablets and computers during the final hour of the evening.
Choose one achievable project
A personal project gives the summer a sense of direction.
Ideas could include:
- Learning five simple meals
- Creating a piece of art
- Starting a fitness challenge
- Reading a book or graphic novel
- Growing herbs or vegetables
- Building a portfolio
- Writing music or poetry
- Learning basic budgeting
- Volunteering in the community
The project should match the young person’s interests. Progress matters more than perfection.
Stay connected to other people
Young people can stay connected by arranging a walk with a friend, visiting a family member, attending a youth group or joining a local activity.
For eligible families in England, the Holiday Activities and Food programme provides access to enriching activities and healthy food during school holidays. Families can check their local council’s website for availability and eligibility.
Online friendships can also be meaningful, but they should not become the young person’s only form of contact.
Include movement in the week
Movement can mean walking, cycling, dancing, football, swimming or following a free exercise video.
It should feel manageable rather than like a punishment. Starting with a short walk can be enough.
NHS guidance encourages children and young people to include both aerobic activity and activities that strengthen muscles and bones across the week.
Keep learning light and relevant
Summer learning should not feel like a full school timetable.
A young person might:
- Read about a favourite subject
- Use maths while planning a budget
- Practise writing through a journal
- Watch an educational documentary
- Visit a free museum
- Learn through cooking or practical tasks
- Spend 15 minutes reviewing key skills
Small activities can help them return to education without feeling that they have forgotten everything.
Prepare for the Return to School
Do not wait until the night before school starts.
During the final one or two weeks, begin moving sleep and waking times closer to the school routine. Check uniforms, travel plans, equipment and important dates.
YoungMinds recommends preparing belongings in advance and gradually returning to a familiar routine to reduce stress around going back to school.
It can also help to arrange the first mentor or tutor session before the holiday begins. Knowing when they will reconnect gives the young person something steady to return to.
Summer Support Starts With Listening
Young people do not always need adults to solve everything. Often, they need someone to listen, notice their strengths and help them make a realistic plan.
Preparing early can turn the summer from a period of uncertainty into a chance to rest, explore interests and build independence.
At Lexia Education Services, we provide mentoring shaped around the needs, experiences and goals of each young person. To discuss summer preparation or support for the new academic year, book a free, no-pressure conversation with our team.
