22 July 2025
Patients urged to “please use NHS services wisely” ahead of planned NHS…
Patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to help the local NHS to preserve care for those who most need it, ahead…
Home » Mentoring support helps young people in Milton Keynes to transform their lives
An innovative programme in Milton Keynes is supporting young people on a journey to a brighter and more hopeful future via tailored mentoring.
The programme carefully matches young people with volunteer mentors who act as role models that provide tailored support to meet each individual’s needs.
It is being rolled out by Starting Point in partnership with NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and Milton Keynes Council.
The innovative programme is focused on young people who are furthest away from education and employment due to mental health challenges. It provides one-to-one support with social-emotional development, as well as opportunities to gain practical skills on their journey into education, employment, and training.
Sam Lloyd, Project Director, Starting Point, said: “Starting Point’s mentoring ensures that young people have long-term support with a trusted adult role model who can provide a listening ear, consistency of connection alongside practical guidance and support. It is the simplicity of this relational journey and feeling valued that truly has a transformational impact in the life of a young person.”
Jasmine’s Story
Jasmine, 19, was referred to the programme after leaving Milton Keynes College with no qualifications. Studying in an academic environment had always been a challenge for Jasmine as she was battling with difficulties that came along with her diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
She was working 16 hours a week but said she “wanted more out of life”. Upon being referred, Jasmine expressed that she was constantly low in mood and found it difficult to go to work.
When she began her mentoring journey, Jasmine said that she was interested in doing accounting. Jasmine’s mentor – who works in finance – was able to support Jasmine to attain her GCSE in Maths by providing her with tutoring.
This acted as a foundation to help her in her journey towards becoming an accountant. She has now completed an online accountancy course and is attending college.
Jasmine worked hard and now says she feels that her low mood has improved following the mentoring and she is in a “far better place than before.” This was made possible by the time Jasmine’s mentor put into supporting Jasmine with her wellbeing and self-belief.
You can find out more at www.startingpoint.org.uk.
For press enquiries, please email blmkicb.communications@nhs.net
22 July 2025
Patients urged to “please use NHS services wisely” ahead of planned NHS…
Patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been urged to help the local NHS to preserve care for those who most need it, ahead…
22 July 2025
Local residents get answers to their cancer questions at shopping centre events
Hundreds of residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have received answers to their questions about cancer and cancer screening, following a series of outreach…
18 July 2025
More than half of local people now have the NHS App on…
More than half of patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have now downloaded the NHS App, new figures show. More than half of local residents have now signed up…
18 July 2025
NHS recruitment drive in Luton to support working-class communities
People from working class communities in Luton will be among those supported onto the NHS career ladder, as the Government’s Plan for Change tackles rampant health inequalities and gets Britain working.…
15 July 2025
Tragic death from measles prompts vaccination reminder to families
Parents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been alerted to the risk of measles, following reports this weekend that a child has sadly died of the disease in Liverpool.…
9 July 2025
More patients seen at extended-hours clinics in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
Over 194,000 patients in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have taken advantage of ‘enhanced access’ appointments at general practices, which offer health services to people outside conventional opening hours. Figures…