Bridging Finance Solutions is backing Wirral youth zone, the Hive, funding its mentoring programme which supports some of the most vulnerable and at-risk children across the Wirral.

Due to widespread funding cuts, the Hive is looking for external support to help fund some of its projects.

A year’s salary has now been earmarked for its mentor whose role sees them manage up to 45 mentees.

Stuart Barnes, chief executive of the Hive, said: “Our Mentoring Project is a critical part of the support we provide. Our mentors offer support to young people aged between 8 and 19 years old (up to 25 with additional needs and disabilities) who face a range of issues and challenging circumstances including; family breakdown, exclusion from mainstream education or engagement in antisocial or criminal activity.

“The co-ordination and management of our team of volunteer mentors is incredibly labour intensive and challenging. Volunteer mentors undergo a rigorous screening and training programme before they are carefully matched with their mentee. They are then given a high level of support and guidance overseeing the mentor and young person relationship, offering additional guidance on issues that may need further external support.

“Without the mentor co-ordinator, we wouldn’t essentially be able to offer a mentor service which would have a huge impact on the increasing numbers of young people needing our help.

“We are absolutely delighted by BFS’ decision to fund our mentoring project for a full year, we can’t thank them enough for their incredible support. Thanks to Bridging Finance Solutions we are now able to continue to deliver essential work with the many young people who’ve come to rely on us.”