Last weekend, the MAPS Mentoring team had an unforgettable trip to London Zoo, enjoying perfect weather that made the animals particularly active. The group was thrilled to see a variety of animals they had never encountered before, with the butterfly house and monkey enclosure being particular favorites. One young person expressed how special it felt to be allowed to walk amongst some of the animals without barriers. In an age where so much is seen through a screen this had a real impact.

"I have ticked London Zoo off my bucket list!"

"Thank you for arranging it as I loved all the animals and making new friends. My favourite bit were the monkeys when they were jumping everywhere." 

The adventure continued as another young person took to filming the animals, capturing the lively scenes that unfolded throughout the day. Everyone was amazed by the unusual species and the surprising smells they encountered. The reptile house was a hit, too, as finding the cleverly camouflaged reptiles turned into a fun challenge, highlighting the incredible diversity of creatures we share our planet with.

Seeing the positive impact Mentors have on their Mentees and the joy they share was really inspiring to some of our young people. One young person said:

"Meeting other pairs makes me want to be a Mentor when I am older!"

Though the day was long and filled with lots of walking, everyone's spirits remained high. The trip to London Zoo was not only educational but also a wonderful bonding experience for the Mentors and Mentees from the program, making it a truly great day for all involved.

Interested in volunteering with MAPS Mentoring? Please give us your details here and one of the team will be in touch soon.