Three mentorship schemes that help youth develop skills

From one-to-one mentoring to creative technology programmes and leadership development, these initiatives are empowering young people to discover their potential and shape their futures

Words by Ellie Broughton and Fern McErlane

June 16, 2026

From one-to-one mentoring to creative technology programmes and leadership development, these initiatives are empowering young people to discover their potential and shape their futures

1. The Kids’ Network

For some London children, a few hours with a trusted adult each month can shift how they see the world. Through mentoring sessions built around conversation, activities and simply spending time together, young people gain confidence and a space to talk openly. That is the idea behind The Kids’ Network, which delivers around 5,000 hours of one-to-one mentoring each year through trained volunteers. The results? 91% of mentees report improved wellbeing, stronger social skills and a greater sense of possibility.

“Mentoring was a hangout session with somebody to understand how social things work – it just felt like a safe space,” said Daniel, one of the young people involved. Chief executive Louise Johns-Shepherd puts it simply: “It takes a city to raise a child.”

Image: The Kids’ Network

2. TUMO Center for Creative Technologies

Teenagers designing video games, composing music or experimenting with AI might sound like a specialist tech course, yet at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies it is simply what after school looks like. The free programme, founded in Armenia, allows young people to steer their own learning across 14 creative and technical fields, including programming, photography, animation and 3D modelling.

Workshops and project labs are supported by coaches who step in when students need guidance, while completed work builds into a digital portfolio that can be shared online or entered into competitions. More than 20,000 teenagers now take part. What began in Yerevan, now has centres in Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Buenos Aires. Founders Sam and Sylva Simonian created TUMO to give “bright and motivated Armenians” the tools to shape their futures.

Image: Jakub Zerdzicki

3. Akili Dada

Across parts of Africa, a lack of financial support and mentorship can close doors for girls with leadership potential. Akili Dada was created to push those doors open.

Since 2005 the organisation has awarded 268 scholarships and provided mentoring to more than 2,500 girls and young women. Alongside financial support, participants receive leadership training, networks and guidance that help them move from school into university and professional life. Its programmes follow three pillars inspired by Swahili: washa (ignite), angaza (amplify) and urithi (legacy), designed to nurture leadership.

Founder Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg believes the aim is long-term change. “Leadership is not accidental,” she said.“It must be nurtured with intention and purpose.”

Image: Amos Getanda

Main image: The Kids’ Network

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