Starting Point Reading

Starting Point provides mentoring & creates opportunities, for young people ages 11-25. There are four main programmes available; Aware, Advance, Aspire & Action Media.

All mentoring has a relational, tailored, and holistic approach empowering young people to take ownership over their own journey.

Starting Point Aware supports young people aged 11 - 25 who are at risk of exploitation, offending or youth violence. The aim of Aware mentoring is to steer young people away from a lifestyle of crime & violence,  to allow them to thrive in society. We execute this through a holistic approach. 

Starting Point Advance supports young people aged 11-19 who are at risk of exclusion and/or becoming NEET upon leaving education. The aim of Advance is to enable young people thrive inside and outside of education, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to feel positive about their future. We also mentor young people who are at risk of exclusion/withdrawing from school to help them re-engage and prevent fixed term or permanent exclusions. We tailor the locations, times, and activities around each young person as well as their school or college’s timetable.

Starting Point Aspire supports young people aged 15 -25 throughout their journey of attaining, sustaining, and thriving within education, employment and training. We do this through carefully matching a young person to a mentor who acts as a consistent role model, tailoring the support to each individuals’ unique needs and aspirations. Our mentoring has a holistic approach focusing on both practical support, such as CV writing or interview skills, and social-emotional support, such as building confidence and self-esteem.

Action Media is a young person led production company for those aged 15 -25 year olds that provides meaningful work placements in a creative industry. Action Media runs weekly on Friday mornings/afternoons at our Mentoring Hub & includes:

  • Camera Work
  • Logo Design
  • Story Boarding
  • Branding
  • Sound Recording
  • Video Planning

Check out our Young People’s stories on the ‘Stories’ page on our website https://startingpoint.org.uk/stories/ to hear directly from the young people of their experience of mentoring.

There is no fixed time limit to mentoring - this so that a young person in need of mentoring can access the support straight away. Feel free to get to in touch through the details below to find out more information on any of the above mentoring programmes.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Richard Smith
Contact Position
Centre Manager
Telephone
0118 995 2160 or 07825331262 0118 995 2160 or 07825331262
E-mail
startingpoint@themustardtree.org
Website
Starting Point
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Parent Organisation
The Mustard Tree

Where to go

Name
The Mustard Tree Foundation
Address
90, London Street
Reading
Berkshire
Postcode
RG1 4SJ
Directions to RG1 4SJ

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Office open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm
Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Session Information
Mentoring takes place at a time and a public location that will be agreed between the mentor and young person.

Availability

Age Ranges
11-25
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

Referral can be made via an agency or from an individual. 

Other notes

Work experience is offered in a number of areas for a duration that works for the young person and business.  Mentoring also takes place at a time and location that will be agreed between the mentor and young person.

 

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Disclaimer

This information has been collected from third party providers therefore the Reading Services Guide, Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of this information and recommends that parents, carers, young people, residents and professionals check with providers regarding DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) and OFSTED registrations and CQC registrations. Information collected by Reading Service Guide; is used solely to implement and supply the Family Information Service (FIS), Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer, Adults & Carers Support Group and Reading Youth.

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Last Updated

Last updated:

Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
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