Making a difference to children and young people in Sutton

MAPS Mentoring is an award-winning programme which encourages and supports children and young people to achieve their full potential. Here at MAPS, we provide our mentees wth hand-picked, checked and trained, volunteer mentors who offer one-to-one weekly support in a safe and engaging environment. As well as building a trusted and consistent relationship with their mentor, our mentees are encouraged to lead on activities and goals throughout their mentoring, with the programme also offering each young person a further 12 months of group activities, enabling a safe engagement period of two years.

MAPS provides support to vulnerable children and young people who come from a variety of difficult and complex backgrounds, with challenging life circumstances, including poor mental health, low self-esteem, self-harming, violence and exploitation, and social poverty. They may be experiencing, or at risk of being drawn into, negative behaviours such as anti-social behaviour, criminal activities, involvement in gangs, radicalisation, substance and drug abuse, and displaying challenging behaviour in school which may lead to permanent exclusion.

The support of MAPS helps these young people to connect with their community and raise their aspirations. It provides a safe space for young people to explore the issues they face, while receiving the support and guidance they need, as well as the tools to try new activities and learn new skills.Through MAPS, we have seen firsthand how young people can benefit from being in a fun and trusted environment and the positive impact it has on their confidence, self-esteem and personal growth. Those involved often see an improvement in their relationships, a reduction in self-harm or the need for CAMHS and other professional interventions.

MAPS believes in the power of positive connections and our aim is to provide young individuals with the right support, empowering them to navigate through challenges they face, discover new opportunities and embrace positive changes.

In this section, you will find everything you need to know about MAPS Mentoring. 

Looking for MAPS Advocacy? Find out more here.

Are you a child, young person, parent or guardian of a young person who would like to get involved with MAPS Mentoring? Please give us your details here and a member of our friendly team will be in touch with you soon.

Our Mentors meet with their young person once a week for a year.

Mentoring can help young people connect with their community, improve confidence and raise aspirations, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

It's a safe space for young people to explore the issues they face. They will receive support and guidance, learn new skills, try new activities and have some fun.

If you are a young person and would like to talk to someone today, please visit our support page here. 

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

Become a MAPS Mentor and start making a difference.

• Full training including personal awareness, communication skills, confidentiality, risk assessment and safeguarding.
• Monthly social sessions for mentoring pairs.
• Regular support and contact from the MAPS Practitioners.
• Regular group activities including theatre trips, go-karting and other days out.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a MAPS Mentor, please get in touch with the MAPS team at Volunteer Centre Sutton. You can also give us your details here and one of the team will be in touch soon.  

If you are a professional...

Please speak with a member of the MAPS team to advise you of the referral route and process. Contact the MAPS team at Volunteer Centre Sutton on maps@vcsutton.org.uk.

Looking for MAPS Advocacy? Find out more here.

How Volunteer Centre Sutton keeps children and young people safe...

Safeguarding Children and Young People is paramount and at the centre of all youth work at Volunteer Centre Sutton (VCS). Read more about Safeguarding...

Download How Volunteer Centre Sutton keeps children and young people safe A5 leaflet

If you would like to keep in touch with the MAPS project...

and hear all our latest news and stories, as well as forthcoming training dates, please sign up to our monthly MAPS Supporters Newsletter. 

This project is being delivered in partnership with Together for Sutton.