Why Citywise?

Our schools and community programmes equip children with the tools they need to overcome challenges, thrive in school and flourish in all areas of their lives. Being able to remain motivated by long-term goals, have resilience in the face of setbacks, develop strengths such as courage, honesty and fairness all help on children’s their journey of social mobility.

With the help of a dedicated mentor, children develop character traits such as resilience, self-regulatory skills and a growth mindset. Research shows that these character traits contribute to academic tenacity, are critical for long-term learning and support students’ ongoing academic success (Dweck, Walton, & Cohen, 2014). 

Our Mentoring Approach

Establishing a supportive relationship between a young person and a non-parental adult is one of the most effective ways of supporting positive development. Mentoring can increase resilience and coping skills; it even prevent and decrease depression and anxiety!

Research has shown that a committed mentor can help a young person improve their academic outcomes, behaviour, and social skills to unlock their potential. This is particularly the case with mentoring that includes a structured curriculum.

Our inspiring mentors are mostly undergraduate students at university. They provide a positive role model and, where appropriate, an opportunity to learn about higher education. All mentors  go through mentoring training and undergo enhanced DBS/PVG checks.

Our Impact 

The Citywise model is supported by a large body of research both in mentoring and in character education. Meta-analyses of a wide range of youth mentoring programmes have found that young people improve in five key areas: academic performance, future employment, social competence, emotional well-being and high-risk behaviour.

Feedback from our evaluation and partner schools tells us that children grow in the following ways:

  • Improved academic results
  • Increased school participation
  • Improved attitude towards school
  • Improved behaviour
  • Improved relationships with others
  • Increased confidence/self-esteem
  • Increased take up of volunteering

Find out more

Email us to find out more about our current community programmes or how we can support your school with resources or a mentoring programme or in Manchester or Glasgow.

The Citywise camp was an amazing opportunity for kids to connect, talk and listen to each other in these times of isolation. The resources provided were full of creativity and had a deep message of positivity and optimism…the games were interactive and full of fun!

​Parent, Holiday Camp

It makes you feel happy and confident after learning, that’s how I always feel like after having these lessons. It’s like you are learning something that can really help you mentally and emotionally. Those things we were learning about they are basically like life lessons. They can help you a lot especially when you are older, or an adult.

Child, School Programme

I was being bullied…now I’m a lot calmer. I used to keep fighting, now I’ve learnt the rules of fairness. Since I’ve been coming here I’ve not been in seclusion.

Child, School Programme