We've all heard the saying: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." As much as we may not like to admit it, we can't deny its truth. At M10, we've seen firsthand how the right connections can change everything—especially when it comes to mentoring young people.
Since 2018, M10’s Boys' Network mentoring programme has been making a real difference in the lives of young men. Several years ago, the North Tyneside Learning Trust approached us with a bold request: roll out the programme across all nine of their schools. That meant going from 30+ mentors to needing another 90—fast.
As a confident and determined charity, we were up for the challenge. But at that time, our network wasn’t quite wide enough. So, we turned to our M10 trustees for help. One trustee, in particular, managed to bring in 40 mentors effortlessly. Incredible! With just three months left to find the remaining 50, we dug deep—and, against the odds, we did it.
The Impact of Mentoring
Finding the right mentors isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people who genuinely want to make a difference. Over the years, we've met incredible individuals with powerful stories:
- “I want to give back because of all the opportunities I’ve been given.”
- “I had a mentor when I was younger, and they really helped me.”
- “I’ve had experiences in my life that I believe could help a student in their future.”
- “I want to make a difference.”
- “I don’t like to see young people lost; I think I can help.”
School can be tough, and with increasing concerns about knife crime, online bullying, and mental health struggles, the need for strong, positive role models has never been greater. That’s why we’re always looking for creative ways to recruit mentors. And sometimes, the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
A Game-Changing Text Message
Out of the blue, we received a text from a Senior Partner at Nigel Wright Group:
“Hiya, was thinking/wondering… do you need more mentors? Would it help if we marketed something on your behalf to our database? We could also push it on LinkedIn—it would reach tens of thousands of professional men across the region. Just a thought. Any interested parties would come directly to you.”
That was the best message we had received since North Tyneside Learning Trust's request. Of course, we said yes!
A quick Teams call was set up with their Head of Marketing. He asked insightful questions, eager to understand the heart of The Boys' Network. A few days later, he sent over a marketing piece that made our previous efforts look amateur. It was spot on—everything was said right and well.
The result? In just one day, 50+ enquiries flooded in. And they’re still coming.
Collaboration at Its Best
What takes us months—even years—Nigel Wright Group achieved in days. And they did it pro bono.
When the business community and the third sector work together, amazing things happen. We’re always on the lookout for new mentors—and now, thanks to this unexpected yet powerful partnership, we’re seeing firsthand how the right connections can make all the difference.
So if you’ve ever thought about mentoring, now’s the time. Because sometimes, all it takes is one person to change a young man’s life. Maybe that person is you
If you're in marketing and can support us in this way CALL NOW
If you want to be a mentor CLICK HERE
OVERALL, MENTORING CAN PROVIDE A RANGE OF BENEFITS FOR 14-16 YEAR OLD BOYS IN TERMS OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. BY DEVELOPING SKILLS SUCH AS SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-REGULATION, AND EMPATHY, BOYS CAN BECOME MORE SELF-AWARE, RESILIENT, AND EMPATHETIC INDIVIDUALS, WHICH CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES.
Read our latest Impact Report here
