A LOCAL charity which helps vulnerable children and young people through long-term mentoring has launched a new crowdfunding campaign aimed at raising £6,000 by the end of the year to help it continue its often life-changing support.

The Somerset-based PROMISEworks campaign ‘Invest £1 for 1 minute’ is asking people to donate £1 which will run its entire operation for one minute.

The current figure donated is just over £1,000.

The charity, founded in 2017, has supported more than 500 mentoring relationships across Somerset, and providesyoungsters with a volunteer mentor for at least two years.

The mentors help them grow and develop resilience, confidence, and opportunities for personal development.

PROMISEworks received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2022, in recognition of the commitment and impact its volunteers have made.

Calling on the local community to invest in its future, the charity is inviting residents to ‘invest £1 for 1 minute’ by donating through its new crowdfunding campaign.

Under the scheme, each young person is matched with a trained, volunteer mentor for a minimum of two years, giving time to establish a firm relationship which often continues after the original two years.

The service is aimed at young people aged from five to 25 years who are experiencing difficulties at home or with education or training.

It receives referrals from a wide range of sources, including social workers, the police, health professionals, teachers, parents, and, in some cases, the young people themselves.

The charity hopes its latest campaign will help it to continue providing vital, life-changing support to children and young people across Somerset who need it most.

At the end of last year 143 mentors were working with 153 youngsters.

This year, the organisation has received 311 referrals, trained 39 new mentors, and completed 77 matches.

One mentor said: “I am 74 and my mentee is 12, and we have become friends.”

And a youngster who is being mentored told PROMISEworks: “When life gets hard, I need somebody who will not give up on me.

“That is why you match young people like me with mentors who actually show up, not just for a moment, but for a long time.”

The PROMISEworks spokesperson said: “Mentors walk alongside their young person.

“Through long-term, one-to-one relationships, they offer consistent support, encouragement, and hope - helping young people feel seen, believed in, and ready to shape their own future.

“Mentoring can fill many gaps in the lives of vulnerable or disadvantaged young people.

“Older people can pass on to youngsters many life skills, including problem-solving and how to cope with difficulties.

“We are currently supporting over 150 relationships across the county.

“Each relationship costs £2,400.

“The PROMISEworks budget to take us to the end of 2030 is £2,683,750 and we would welcome any fund-raising ideas, from organising a coffee and cake morning to running a marathon.”

The mentoring campaign is supported by a song produced by Tom Evans, called ‘A promise in Somerset’.

To support the charity, visit its Crowdfunder page online.