The fire service has launched a new partnership to help staff become role models to disadvantaged young people across Scotland.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has joined forces with school-based mentoring charity MCR Pathways, becoming the first emergency service organisation to sign up to the programme.
Volunteers will use their experiences to help a young person realise their full potential, while building on their confidence and self-belief.
MCR Pathways currently operates in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire and currently supports 2000 young people each week.
Sandy Gillespie is a group commander with the SFRS and has been mentoring for two years.
He said: “These are young people who require assistance and a direction in life and I think a fire officer with their variety of skills and what they’ve seen could have a dramatic effect on these young people’s lives.”
The organisation’s vision is for further expansion across Scotland in the near future.
Anyone interested in mentoring a young person will be asked to commit for two years.
Mentors will be provided with training before being matched with a young person. To find out more, visit www.mcrpathways.org or contact 0141 221 0200.
