MAPS Youth Support

Supporting young adults to improve life skills, financial stability, wellbeing and independence

About The Project

MAPS Youth Support is an exciting new project that carefully matches young adults with trained and DBS-checked Youth Support Volunteers. Volunteers meet with their young person once a week for a tailored 12- session programme, providing dedicated one-to-one support, practical guidance, and a positive role model.

The programme supports young adults aged 16–24 in Sutton who are facing challenging or complex life circumstances. This includes young people who are experiencing financial hardship, who are or are at risk of being NEET (not in education, employment, or training), or who need extra support around their wellbeing and independence.

Through these trusted relationships, young adults build confidence, resilience and practical life skills, helping them make positive choices and create a secure, independent future with a place to call home.

What We Do

The programme helps young adults navigate tough times and overcome barriers to active participation. Through targeted, one-to-one input from a volunteer, young people are supported to:

Build confidence and self-esteem

Explore education, employment, and training opportunities

Increase financial literacy and manage money effectively

Improve physical and mental health, and overall wellbeing

Navigate challenges around housing and independent living

Set goals and work through actionable steps to achieve them

Our volunteer Youth Support Volunteers provide encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, helping young adults recognise their strengths and boost their future success.

How We Help

By providing a safe, supportive space and consistent guidance over 12 sessions, MAPS Youth Support helps young adults overcome barriers to accessing education, training and employment.

All Youth Support Volunteers receive full training and ongoing support from our team of dedicated MAPS Practitioners. Volunteer training covers:

Communication, listening, body language, and building rapport

Boundaries, confidentiality, and managing behaviour that challenges

Safeguarding

Bias and discrimination

Once matched, each volunteer and young person meet weekly at a time and place that works for them, with regular check-ins and support from a dedicated MAPS Practitioner throughout the 12-week journey.

Young Person Feedback

"Without my mentor and MAPs I would not have been able to get into my college course, they helped me through the whole process, which on my own would have been too overwhelming and I would have given up".

"My mentor has helped me unlock and understand my full potential. Thank you for everything you have done"

Get Involved

Volunteer

We are always looking for new volunteers to join our MAPS Youth Support team.

If you're interested in becoming a Youth Support Volunteer and dedicating an hour a week to help a young person explore their full potential, please follow the link Youth Support Volunteer - MAPS Mentoring (Volunteer Centre Sutton) - Volunteer Centre Sutton . You will gain valuable, transferable life skills and a deeper understanding of the challenges young people face.

Referrals

Are you 16–24 years old, living in Sutton, and are looking for this type of support, please follow the link:

MAPS Youth Support - NEET Mentoring Pathway | Self-Referral Form – Fill out form and a member of our friendly team will be in touch!

Are you a professional working with 16–24-year-olds in Sutton? MAPS Youth Support Project provides a dedicated volunteer for a 12-session tailored program aimed at young people who are experiencing financial hardship, NEET (not in education, employment, or training), or at risk of NEET, or who need support around wellbeing and independence.

Please contact the MAPS team to discuss the referral route and process. Email: maps@vcsutton.org.uk