2023/2024
Introduction
Students
Mentors
Staff
CONTENTS
M10 is a North East based charity working primarily in North Tyneside but with a UK reach. It exists to inspire young people, invest in their personal development and have an influential impact on their contribution to the world.
In the Spring Term of 2021, we were asked to roll out The Boys’ Network programme in 9 Secondary Schools in The North Tyneside Learning Trust. The following report shows the impact of the programme.
M10 MISSIONS
M10 MENTORING
M10 MASTERCLASS
M10 MOMENTUM
STUDENTS
CONFIDENCE FOCUS & PURPOSE
92% of students who responded feel that, through The Boys’ Network, their confidence has increased. 85% believe that they are now more focused in lessons because they have a greater understanding of the purpose of their education and how it can impact their future.
Please tell us, in your own words, how being a part of The Boys’ Network has impacted you.
It was a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth insight into key skills needed in the world of work
Being part of The Boys’ Network has helped me quite a lot to improve my skills in the world of work and how I can face it
It has changed my future for the better and has made me more confident
It has impacted me as I felt more confident about the future
It has helped me understand the world so much more than I did before
POSITIVE REAL MENTORING
100% of students who responded said they felt more positive about their futures having had support and guidance from a mentor
85% of students who responded said they felt it was really valuable for lads to have a real mentor from a real business to help prepare them for the world of work
What would you say about M10 and The Boys’ Network?
M10 is a great company providing the boys network program to help young boys achieve their goals and I would say that anyone should be grateful for being part of it.
M10 has made a very enjoyable experience which I never knew I needed in life but when I done my first few sessions I know I needed it in my life.
It’s helped me over the past 10 months in building me as a person.
It is really good. I highly recommend doing it even if you’re unsure, just give it a go because you will never know if you will enjoy it until you do it.
MENTORS
MENTORS
CONFIDENCE UNPREPARED?
Mentors saw an increase in confidence in Boys’ Network students. 97% of mentors who responded saw students confidence rise throughout the programme.
100% agreed that young people are entering the world of work unprepared and unaware of expectations
M10 Impact Report 2023 - 24
How important is it that lads are upskilled in the 10 areas that are covered through The Boy’s Network sessions
Very - Having a perspective on their importance from someone in the world of work hopefully gives the mentees an indication of what they can expect and what wil be expected of them in the world of work. Learning from the experiences of others is the best way to not repeat their mistakes, and hopefully will give the mentees food for thought as they consider their options post 16.
Incredibly important, my mentee in some cases wasn’t familiar with the topics and certainly had very lieele guidance on how they impact business also.
I believe it’s very important. Simply having a foundational understanding of the skills and applying them to their own lives now is something that will be very benefitial for them in the future.
Invest in young people
MENTORS
BENFITS PREPARATION IMPACT FUTURE
99% of mentors agreed that they themselves would have benefitted from having a mentor
100% agreed that mentoring is becoming a vital tool in helping young lads prepare for the world of work
Impact Report 2023 - 24
100% believed that mentors can have a lasting impact
98% of mentors felt that their student was now more prepared for their future
MENTORS
VALUABLE
Do you believe that The Boy’s Network is a valuable resource for young lads of this age and in what way?
Please tell is, in your own words, how being a part of The Boy’s Network has impacted you and the value you believe it brings.
100% of mentors who responded felt it was incredibly valuable for lads to have a mentor from a real business to help prepare them for the world of work
Yes - it brings business experience into a school environment.
I agree fully with this, it helps relate to the future and what can be achieved. For a lot of lads they won’t see people from outside their family and friends and it might feel like limited potential. When I was their age I would have loved to meet someone who came from a similar background.
The opportunity to participate in grown-up conversations about the realities of the working world is very important.
Being a part of The Boys’ Network has been an incredibly enriching experience for me. Reflecting on my journey, it has brought to mind my own teenage years and the valuable knowledge I have accumiulated since then. Throught mentoring, I have had the priviledge of sharing this wisom with the young boys in the program, guiding them as they navigate the complexities of society, adulthood, and future professional lives.
What stands out to me the most is the transformation I see in these boys. They start with curiosity and uncertainty, and through our interactions, they gain confidence, resilience, and a clearer sense of purpose. The Boys’ Network provides a supportive environment where they feel heard and valued, and I am confident that the insights and skills they acquire here will empower them to face life’s challenges head-on.
I feel really proud when a question that I have been asked is then articulated back to me using their own words, it’s then you know they have been actively listening, understanding and will most likely be able to remember.
It has helped me see how different the lives are of the lads growing up in the 2020’s compared to when I grew up. It has helped me tailor my approach to managing recent graduates and helping those around me at work grow to their full potential.
STAFF
STAFF
CONFIDENCE PREPARATION VITAL TOOL BENEFIT
Staff saw an increase in confidence
Boys’ Network students, with staff reporting that most or all students confidence had risen
100% agreed that boys cannot be adequately prepared for the world of work without any mentoring or guidance
100% of respondents agreed that most lads could benefit from mentoring, with 83% strongly agreeing
100% agreed that mentoring is increasingly becoming a vital tool in helping lads prepare for the world of work
STAFF
DEFINING
100% agree mentoring can be a defining factor in a lad’s perception of the world of work
How important is it that lads are upskilled in the 10 areas that are covered through The Boys’ Network sessions?
The topics covered by The Boys’ Network are essential skills for both school and the wider world. Without resilience the boys will struggle to cope with the challenges of the world of work and it is extremely important that the improve these skills with the help and guidance of the mentors.
They need to have confidence in themselves in all of these areas and any preparation / additional support that they can get is vital.
This is vital. Some of them don’t know it yet; but the lasting impact is incredibly valuable
Why do you feel lads need to have this opportunity?
Students need to have access to people who are removed from their usual circle of contact (family, friends, school staff) It can be more impactful to receive guidance/advice from people the students don’t already know, and who have direct experience of the work environment or industry that the students is interested in.
The working landscape is constantly changing and it is difficult to predict what knowledge or training our young people will need for the future. What is easier to predict is the skills that will be needed regardless of their chosen careers. The Boys’ network facilitates the connection between school and the working world. The boys attending are able to see how the mentors have been successful in their careers through building on the skills covered in the sessions. Without mentoring and guidance, some boys will struggle to adapt to a modern working economy.
STAFF
Please tell us, in your own words, how being a part of
The Boys’ Network has impacted your students.
From the sessions so far it is clear to see that the mentors have had a positive impact on the students. In conversations with the boys it is great to be able to revisit a topic I know they’ve covered during a session and remind them of what their mentor has said. As the sessions have continued, the connection between the mentors and boys has grown and it is becoming apparent that they are looking forward to their next session.
The Boys’ Network has given our boys greater confidence in themselves as well as a belief that they can achieve their ultimate goals and ambitions.
I wish we could have a mentor for more of our boys at school.
Having a role model who they can learn from, a mentor who can introduce them to the world or work and a network beyond their family can open up so many opportunities for their future.
Please feel free to share additional feedback or any ideas you may have in the space provided below.
It would be good if this could be offered to a greater number of boys!
I had high expectations having worked with Stephen on many occasions.
M10 Impact Report