Our provision
Our Mentoring Offer
Personalised support, wherever it works best.
How our sessions work
Bridge Forward Mentoring provides fully mobile, 1-to-1 mentoring and alternative provision across West Somerset. Where agreed, we can collect young people from home, school or college and provide sessions in environments that support their learning, wellbeing and interests.
- Fully mobile service — we bring learning and support to where it works best for each young person.
- Flexible collection — where agreed, we can collect young people from home, school or college.
- Community-based learning — sessions take place in libraries, parks, cafés, woodland, farms and other appropriate venues across West Somerset.
- Individually designed programmes — every plan is built in collaboration with the young person, their family, and relevant professionals.
- Clear goals and regular reviews — we set targets, track progress, and adapt the programme as the young person grows.
- Flexible frequency — sessions can be standalone or delivered alongside existing school or college provision.
1-to-1 Mentoring
Each programme is individually tailored and may include:
- 1-to-1 mentoring and advocacy
- Forest school and outdoor learning
- Community-based activities
- Subject tutoring, online or in person
- Support with emotional regulation and confidence
- Social communication and relationship-building
- Activities based around the young person's interests
- Support with transitions and re-engagement with education
Sessions are flexible in length and frequency and are agreed around the individual young person's needs.
Our approach
Trauma-Informed Practice
- We use a trauma-informed approach, drawing on Dan Hughes' PACE model — Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.
- This approach helps us build safe, trusting relationships with young people and understand the feelings and experiences behind their behaviour.
- We believe that connection comes before correction. By helping a young person feel safe, understood and accepted, we can create the conditions they need to engage, communicate, learn and develop.
- Our mentors use warmth, curiosity and empathy to understand each young person as an individual, while providing clear and consistent boundaries and support.
"Connection comes before correction."
Keeping interactions light, warm and enjoyable to help young people feel at ease.
Accepting the young person unconditionally — their feelings, history and inner world.
Being genuinely curious about what drives behaviour, rather than judging it.
Showing that we understand and share in the young person's emotional experience.
A Young Person's Journey
Getting to know each other
We begin by taking the time to understand the young person — their interests, strengths, challenges, aspirations and what helps them feel comfortable. Where appropriate, the first meeting can take place at home, school or another agreed setting. Most importantly, the young person has an opportunity to have their voice heard and become involved in planning their own programme.
Planning together
We work with the young person, family and relevant professionals to identify clear and achievable outcomes. Where an EHCP is in place, relevant outcomes and identified needs can help inform the programme. The young person will be encouraged to help plan their sessions and choose activities, supporting ownership, motivation and engagement.
Learning and mentoring
Our mentor then works alongside the young person to make progress towards agreed outcomes. Sessions can combine education with practical, outdoor and community-based activities, allowing learning to happen in ways that feel meaningful and achievable.
Reviewing progress
After sessions, we record key information including the activities completed, progress made, challenges, young person's reflections and suggested next steps. We can provide regular progress updates to parents, schools and relevant professionals, helping everyone understand what is working and where further support may be needed.
Flexible by design
- Every young person is different. Our provision can start at home or online, then gradually move into the community as confidence develops.
- We can use parks, woodland, beaches, libraries, farms, cafés and other appropriate venues to create opportunities for learning, independence and social development.
- Our aim is simple: meet the young person where they are, build a relationship they can trust, and help them move forward.
Ready to talk about what your young person needs?
Whether you're a parent, carer, school or local authority, we'd love to have a conversation about how Bridge Forward can help.