About this service
Friendship Works offers long-term mentoring in London to support children and young adults who have experienced childhood trauma and disrupted attachments. Experiences like these often result in low self-esteem and social isolation, which can significantly impact the young person’s future.
We match children and young adults with volunteer mentors who offer access to new opportunities, helping to build self-esteem, develop self-confidence and promote resilience – all working to grow self-belief and empower the young person to better manage adversity, whether now or in the future.
More Information
Due to current funding constraints, we are closed to new referrals. We are actively seeking additional funding and hope to reopen referrals as soon as possible.
This notice will be updated as soon as there is further information.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of our work.
How it works
Friendship Works supports children and young people (aged 5 – 18) as well as care experienced young adults (aged 18-25) living in London. It aims to:
• improve children and young people’s social and emotional development through access to quality friendships – developing a greater ability to understand, manage and express feelings whilst making and maintaining positive relationships and attachments,
• enable children and young people to view themselves in a more positive way, providing a stronger sense of identify and an increased resilience – improving self-esteem, confidence and sense of self control, and
• broaden young people’s horizons through access to new opportunities – having more fun, exploring new hobbies, interests and talents.
Our mentoring model looks to build long-term, positive friendships between the young person and their mentor. Positive relationships have been proven to support the development of physical and emotional wellbeing and build resilience.
Research has shown that for young people, the most significant impact of a mentoring relationship occurs after 12 months. Therefore, we ask our volunteers to commit to meeting their young mentee on three weekends out of four, for at least two years.
80% of young people our volunteer mentors support said they felt happier. 76% of care experienced young adults felt more positive about their future.
Need different support?
Whatever issues you or your family face, we are here to help. If this service isn’t right for you, you can find a different service, contact our helpline, FamilyLine or browse our self-help articles to find the right support for you.
Call, text, email or web chat FamilyLine
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, FamilyLine is here for you. We offer free emotional support and guidance on family relationships, conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.
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