YMM

04/09/2026

🌟 WE’RE FINALISTS! 🌟

We’re incredibly proud to announce that YMM has been named a finalist for Charity of the Year at the Stratford Herald Business & Tourism Awards 2026! 🎉

To be recognised in this way means a huge amount to our whole team

Since YMM began, we’ve worked hard to build a charity that makes a real difference to children and young people’s mental health by providing free one-to-one mentoring in schools, giving young people a safe space to talk, be heard and build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built together — but even more proud of the impact that work is having on the young people we support 🧡

02/09/2026

📣Sadly our fired-up and ready-to-go team of 4 young people have had their hopes of swimming the channel, during their original swim window, crushed, due to unsafe conditions 😥

The safety of our swimmers has of course to be the utmost priority and whilst we were all disappointed, our team of three teenagers and a 21 year old are digging deep with their resilience and positivity and are all looking forward to hopefully getting the call to swim any time between 10th - 14th September. Please keep your fingers crossed for calmer waters and hopefully a day time swim (and not the two midnight starts we had to have in 2024 for our previous young channel swimmers!)

But on the plus side it means there is still time to donate to this inspirational challenge by these four young people via the Just Giving link below and/or just wish them a good luck message here as we know they would really appreciate this whilst they are having to wait - again - for the call to swim!

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ymmchannelswim2026

Many thanks everyone🧡

01/09/2026

Mentoring matters because every young person deserves someone in their corner - someone who listens without judgement, understands their world, and helps them feel confident in who they are. For many young people, having a neutral, trusted adult can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling supported.

When routines shift, worries build, or confidence dips, mentoring provides stability. It creates a safe space to talk, reflect, and grow. It helps young people feel seen, heard, and valued at moments when they need it most.

We see every day how mentoring strengthens wellbeing, builds resilience, and helps young people navigate challenges with more confidence. It’s the small conversations, the consistent check‑ins, and the genuine connection that make the biggest difference.

This is why mentoring matters - because every young person deserves support that helps them thrive.

28/08/2026

A huge thank you to the Wates Foundation for awarding YMM a grant towards our essential core costs.

This support helps us cover the day-to-day costs of running the charity, allowing us to continue providing free, one-to-one mentoring for children and young people in schools.

Thank you, Wates Foundation, for helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of children and young people.

24/08/2026

As we approach the end of the summer holidays, routines have shifted and the days can feel a little unsettled for some young people. The excitement of the early break has faded, and getting ready to step back into the structure of school can feel daunting.

When familiar routines disappear, worries can build and confidence can dip. Some young people may be feeling lonely, missing their friends, or simply finding it hard to adjust during these quieter weeks.

It’s a reminder that support is just as important now as it is during term‑time. A check‑in, a conversation, or simply being present can make a real difference to someone who’s finding this transition tough.

Every young person deserves to feel seen, heard and supported — especially as they prepare for the return to school.

20/08/2026

GCSE Results Day can bring a whole mix of emotions.
For some young people, today feels exciting.
For others, it feels overwhelming, disappointing or uncertain.

But here’s what we want every young person to know: there isn’t one single route you have to take.
There isn’t one perfect grade, one perfect plan or one path that decides your future.

Whether your results were better than expected, not what you hoped for, or somewhere in between, your journey is still wide open. There are so many options, so many opportunities and so many ways to build a future that feels right for you.

What matters most is having people who listen, support and help you make sense of the next steps.

You are more than your grades. Your potential, your character and your resilience matter far more.

17/08/2026

Every school we work with has shared the same message: they feel there is a real need for YMM mentors in their community - not just now, but on a long‑term basis.

Schools told us that our mentors are:

Friendly and approachable

Able to reduce pressure on staff

A vital part of pastoral support

Essential for young people who need someone to talk to

Several schools even said they would be struggling pastorally without a YMM mentor - a powerful reminder of how much this support matters.

This feedback shows exactly why we do what we do.
Young people need trusted adults who listen without judgement, help them make sense of what they’re facing, and give them space to grow in confidence and resilience.

We’re proud of the impact our mentors are having - and grateful to every school that continues to welcome us into their community.

13/08/2026

Its A-Level Results Day and today will feel different for everyone.
For some young people, A‑level results bring excitement and relief.
For others, they bring worry, disappointment or uncertainty about what comes next.

But here’s the truth: there isn’t one single route you have to take.
There isn’t one “right” timeline, one “perfect” plan or one path that defines your future.

Whether today went better than expected, not as hoped, or somewhere in between, your journey is still yours - and it’s still unfolding. There are so many options, so many opportunities, and so many ways to build a future that feels right for you.

What matters most is having people who listen, support and help you make sense of the next steps.

You’re not defined by a grade. You’re defined by your resilience, your character and your potential.

11/08/2026

We’re getting closer to the YMM Channel Swim at the end of August, and our incredible team has been training with unbelievable dedication. Cold‑water dips, long‑distance swims, early starts, night swims, and every open‑water session without wetsuits - because they’re banned for Channel crossings - this team has embraced it all with determination and heart.

Thanks to their hard work and the generosity of our community, they’ve now raised over £7,000 for YMM. Every pound supports free mentoring for young people, giving them a safe space to talk, build confidence and feel understood.

A special shout‑out to Katy, one of our amazing swimmers, who was recently featured in the Stratford‑upon‑Avon Herald for her inspiring journey. Her story captures the passion and purpose behind this challenge.
Read more here:
https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/i-was-told-to-do-something-i-enjoy-and-i-found-this-to-be-9477618/

This team has been an absolute joy to work with - their positivity, strength and commitment shine through in everything they do. We are so proud of them.

Stratford Sharks Swimming Club member Katy Halford is gearing up for her biggest event to date

08/08/2026

We’re so grateful for the thoughtful feedback we’ve received from schools about the impact YMM mentoring is having on the young people they support.

Teachers have shared that young people feel more comfortable speaking to a neutral, external mentor, and those engaging with YMM are becoming more positive around school, more confident approaching adults, and more willing to ask for help when they need it.

Schools also tell us that our mentors are approachable, nurturing, and well‑trained, and that the consistency we provide has a significant impact on young people’s confidence, engagement, and overall progress. One school described how YMM “goes the extra mile” to match each young person with the right mentor, something we’re deeply proud of.

Thank you to our partner schools for recognising the difference mentoring makes. Supporting young people is at the heart of everything we do 💙