Projects with Young People
Educational Mentoring & Holiday Activities for Teenagers
The project provides refugee and vulnerable migrant teenagers in Brent with one-to-one support from a committed mentor.
Young refugees meet the same volunteer mentor every week for about an hour at a time. They work together on homework, go over lesson content that the young person may not have fully understood and read together. Mentors share study tips and help their mentees explore ideas for their futures – discussing dreams and ambitions and the practical steps that may be needed to fulfil them. Strong bonds form and support extends beyond school and studies.
During the year, participants discuss the activities they want to do in the holidays – past activities have included creative workshops, kayaking, social clubs and lessons in circus skills. We partner with organisations who understand the trauma and challenges faced by migrant teenagers.
Mentoring has a wealth of positive impacts on young people’s lives, including improved English proficiency and academic performance as well as heightened confidence, wellbeing and ambitions for the future.
This project is made possible by funding from the Cherry Family Foundation, South Kilburn Community Chest and Neighbourhood Action Network
Sajeda's story: "She's helped me so much."
"School in London was very hard at the beginning. I didn't speak much English and I was bullied and laughed at by the other children. When I was in year 10, Salusbury World found me a mentor. She's so kind and she still comes every week to help me with my homework. She works through problems with me and doesn’t just give me the answer. She's helped me so much - I used to be afraid of speaking up in class but she encouraged me to ask and answer questions. She gives me confidence and now I'm in Year 11, I'm in higher sets. My mentor says, "everything is going to be fine".
In the holidays, I have volunteered with the little children and also been kayaking and horse-riding. It was so fun! Salusbury World helped me to make new friends. If I hadn’t come, I would have had to stay at home, and it would be so boring."
Ahmed's's story: "I wanted to do it again and Salusbury World helped me."
"I knew about Salusbury World in Year 10, when I was new to the country. I was lucky and I got a paper that I just needed to fill to go for a trip. And from there on I kept up with the Salusbury World trips and events which were extremely amazing! My aunty says that is rare.
When I got the letter [about] kayaking, I did not know what it looks like or what it feels like. But after I experienced it, I enjoyed it a lot, especially with my friends who I like being with during trips.
I wanted to do it again and Salusbury World helped me. They talked to the Pirate Castle and they gave me and my friends 6 free sessions. I made new friends, too. At first the journey was quite confusing but now it’s easy, because I can just use the same route I [took] with Salusbury World."
Samuel's story: "I've had so much support from Salusbury World."
"When I arrived in the UK, aged 9, I knew no English apart from the alphabet.
Understanding and speaking English was still hard when I started secondary school, just over a year later. I've had so much support from Salusbury World - I had mentors in Years 7 and 9 (they really helped with homework because my mum and dad can't - we don't speak English at all at home), I joined the poetry club and took part in lots of holiday activities.
I'm now in Year 13 and I've had offers from three universities to study nursing. I'm respectful and kind and hope I'll make a good nurse."
Ana's's story: "At the moment, home is one room and if I didn’t come to the Salusbury World club, I’d be stuck in it all day."
Ana has joined many Salusbury World activities over the last few years. She first met us as a new arrival at one of our partner schools. She joined our mentoring project and came to holiday club regularly. She particularly enjoys creative activities and social clubs.
Recently, Ana and her family became homeless. They were tempoarily housed by the local authority in a hotel room in High Wycombe. Ana travelled from High Wycombe to the club in Kensal Rise nine times over the summer.
Ana is 15 and has just finished Year 10.
“I like coming to holiday club because I like getting together with my friends. At the moment, home is one room and if I didn’t come to the club, I’d be stuck in it all day. I share with my mum and my little sister. I do homework. Downstairs there’s a bar to sit in but it’s mainly for men. I’m not allowed there. 
Sometimes I can’t come to the club because I have to look after my sister. She’s 7. Sometimes my mum leaves her with my auntie on her way to her cleaning job but I have to look after her if there’s no one else.
I’m worried about school. Everyone knows me there and understands my problems. And it’s the middle of GCSEs! I don’t want to go a new school where no one knows me. It takes so long to travel from High Wycombe and it costs so much. I really hope we are rehoused soon.
When I come to the club, I love to gossip with my friends."
