Coaching & Mentoring at Manchester Academy
Groundwork are delivering youth coaching and mentoring throughout 2023 and 2024 to young people at Manchester Academy.
We’re working with young people to create positive opportunities to attend school regularly, become more involved in the community and develop a sense of belonging. Reducing the likelihood of negative behaviours and inspiring them to exceed their expectations.
Manchester Academy Youth Coaches
David
Suraiya
Meet Suraiya!
Year One Cohort
Year 2 Cohort
Development & achievements
Loreal: “Mentoring has given me confidence”
When Loreal started the programme, she was shy, quiet and smiley. Throughout the year, Loreal was able to recognise the importance of her education and behaviour. Loreal contributed to discussions on friendships and personal ambitions during the session. Loreal feels as though dance has improved her confidence and attending an art session enabled her to mingle with peers she doesn’t socialise with in school. Being a part of the programme, Loreal has learnt that her voice and ideas are valued and continues to bring awareness to Autism, standing up for friends.
Loreal enjoys music and is currently learning how to play the guitar. She was taken on a tour round Reform Radio. Loreal was truly inspired and could envision herself enrolling in the future.
Shadiya: “I’ve never been bowling before”
One word to describe Shadiya is fierce. Shadiya is protective and caring to those to she loves. Developing trust took some time, Shadiya was assured that the youth mentors were here to support her and to listen to her if she needed to get anything off her mind. Eventually Shadiya opened up about family, contributed to discussions and activities. Shadiya was asked what she would like to do, she said she had never played bowling before. It was suggested that she invite a friend and a trip was arranged to the Trafford centre, Bowling and Nandos.
Miles: “I’ve enjoyed making new friends”
Miles is very open and particular with his Art. Miles enjoys drawing cats and tends to doodle a lot during lesson. Miles hasn’t always felt understood, within the school environment. Miles identifies as He/Him pronouns, throughout the year we have been able to challenge this and encourage the school to recognise his needs. Miles is Autistic and needed a safe place where he could feel accepted outside of school. Suraiya referred him to Starling as they specialise in neurodiversity, they deliver various creative projects. His Step dad was happy for him to attend and since he applied, he’s be going continuously every Wednesday, developing new friendships with like minded people.
Rabiaa: “I like to talk about school issues”
Raabia has no problems academically, but the programme has given her the space to vent, build confidence and socialise with friends. Rabiaa’s has shared that she is the eldest of her siblings and has the responsibility of looking after them, Rabiaa has no time to socialise outside of school. She requested to go to the arcade with her best friend. Rabiaa showed gratitude and was excited to spend time with someone in her age group. Raabia has opened up during sessions, asked for sisterly advice on friendships and shared her love for self care.
Wendy: “Suraiya helped me build confidence and taught me to think before I speak”
Wendy is a young activist, who attends Queens Bees in school to discuss young women’s rights. Although Wendy’s heart is in the right place, she tends to get into conflict with teachers and friends. Wendy has a tendency to involve herself, when a teacher is trying to discipline her peers. Wendy believes she is doing a service by going against the teacher. Suraiya has explained to Wendy that there is nothing wrong with having an opinion or feeling like someone is being is treated unfairly, but there’s a time and a place. To show support to Wendy and the teachers, Suraiya has initiated mediation to help the student and teachers come to a middle ground and provided a safe space for each participant to get their point across.
Zack: “Miss can you take me out of lesson”
Zack is known for being mischievous and is one of a kind. Although Zack has a tendency of misbehaving, truanting and causing trouble with his peers and teachers, he’s been able to contribute so much to the programme with his sense of humour and ideas. Zack has ADHD and finds it difficult to concentrate in class. Attending this programme has given him the space to be himself, be heard and understood. Mentoring is great because its so flexible. Zack enjoys 1:1 conversations and is able to focus.
Latest
February
The mentees spent a day at Laser Quest, learning important teamwork and collaboration skills while having fun!
January
The mentees had a great day out at Printworks cinema. They enjoyed some tasty snacks and watched Sonic!
November
The mentees visited TOPS buffet as a treat, they had a great time socialising and meeting other mentees from different year groups!
October
The mentees have been taking part in a Dragon’s Den activity, allowing them to express their own ideas. Their idea was to build a day care centre to give parents more respite. They were very creative with helping people in employment and being fair!
August
Loreal, from the first year cohort, was invited to a photoshoot with Powerhouse to represent our dance community. She’s also attending a dance camp with the organisation where she’s made lots of new friends!
The mentors took some of their young people on a bowling trip and to the cinema, helping them to socialise during the summer holidays!
July
Suraiya took a few of her mentees into town for a summer trip. They had a picnic in Piccadilly Gardens and talked about their future aspirations!
June
David and Norris have been helping the young people to improve their teamwork and manage their emotions through sports such as football and basketball!
April
Some of the mentees took part in rock climbing, learning a variety of new skills and improving their physical and mental health!
March
The team took the mentees to Flip Out, where they enjoyed trampolining, taking part in obstacle courses and more!
November
The pupils had a fantastic time over the half term break, playing laser quest in the Trafford Centre. It was a great way to get some of the pupils out of their shells and take them to a place many of them hadn’t been before.
Suraiya took one of the young people to Reform Radio, to experience what it would be like to work at a local radio station, she had a great time and learned a lot!
October
The pupils have been having lots of interesting talks about topics such as religion. This has helped them to understand each other and express their feelings in kind, positive ways!
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Acknowledgements and thanks
Thank you to all the young people, teachers and supportive parents and guardians who contribute to the work in Manchester Academy.
Our work is made possible thanks to the SAFE Taskforce which is funded by:
Groundwork’s other services for schools
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School ground design
Our landscape design teams create school grounds which encourage learning and play. By using nature-based solutions school grounds become more resilient to the effects of climate change; reducing flood risk and improving air quality.
Resource efficiency
Our Sustainable Business Consultants & Green Doctors review, assess and provide independent advice on energy, water & waste, identifying opportunities for improvement throughout the educational setting.