BARNARDO'S South Ayrshire Peer Mentoring group has been awarded the Project Quality Award from the Scottish Mentoring Network.

The service, which has been supporting young people in the area has only been up and running for 18 months, was awarded the honour following an external assessment and verification.

Team manager for the service, Claire Latham, said: “Achieving the Quality Award demonstrates the high standards at which the service is currently operating, and entitles us to use the Scottish Mentoring Network Quality Mark as of immediate effect.

"I’m extremely proud of the team’s dedication and the amazing support they offer our young people.”

Barnardos began its new venture in October 2015 achieving the award before in only its second year. 

They believe peer mentoring is a dynamic way of helping young people who are or have been in care by offering them the support and guidance of someone who has similar life experiences.

Mentors have a wide range of life experiences including periods in care, they range mainly between 18 and 30 years of age and come from the local community.

Peer mentoring support can be vital for care experienced young people who often face significant obstacles in their lives and mentoring can have a significant and lasting impact on a young person’s life.