The Odysseus Mentoring Project (OMP) is dedicated to supporting children, young people, and families facing significant challenges—particularly those at risk of criminal involvement – through mentoring and crime awareness education.
We work closely with young people, their families, and support services, offering one of the few volunteer mentoring programmes in the region. Our focus is on long-term support, helping young offenders and those at risk make better choices and build brighter futures.
Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers provide one-to-one mentoring, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support. We help young people understand their behaviour, build confidence, reconnect with their families, and develop the skills they need to turn things around. By creating a safe space where they feel heard and supported, we empower them to take control of their futures.
Amelia’s Story
Amelia* grew up in a difficult home environment. Her parents were involved in domestic violence, as well as drug and alcohol addiction, so she was raised by her grandparents in Washington from the age of three. As she got older, her behaviour became more challenging—she was angry, struggled with low self-esteem, and found it hard to make sense of everything she had been through.
She had a history of self-harm and said she smoked to help her cope. She often got into arguments online, which led to fights at school, multiple arrests, and eventually, permanent exclusion. On top of that, Amelia was scared to go out alone after being attacked in the past.
Working with her OMP mentor, Amelia slowly started to feel safer exploring new places before building up her confidence to spend time in her local area. She opened up about her home life, sharing that she had been hurt by her grandmother. Her mentor supported her through a hospital visit and helped escalate the situation to Children’s Services. Eventually, she was placed into the care of the Local Authority.
This was an incredibly difficult time for Amelia. Her grandparents blamed her for what had happened, and her mother wasn’t able to take her in full-time because of her new family. Feeling abandoned, Amelia’s mental health took a hit, and she started getting involved in risky situations—sexual relationships, negative friendships, and experimenting with drugs.
Opening up within a trusting relationship
Despite everything, Amelia was always open and honest with her OMP worker. Their weekly sessions became a crucial space where she could process her emotions, talk through her worries, and have someone consistently looking out for her. Her mentor also advocated for her in professional meetings, making sure her voice was heard.
At one point, Amelia began expressing concerning thoughts, saying she wanted people to die. She seemed to be losing hope for her own future, self-sabotaging opportunities. When she was moved into supported living accommodation at 16, it was a huge shock—suddenly, she had to take care of herself, managing things like cooking and cleaning. OMP’s support shifted to more practical help, like budgeting, meal planning, and shopping for essentials.
Throughout this journey, Amelia has had three different homes, three different social workers, and short-term interventions from various services. But through it all, the one person she has always been able to count on is her OMP worker. This shows just how important long-term support is for young people in her situation.
On a path to better decision-making
Amelia isn’t exactly where she wants to be yet, but she knows she’s not alone. She has big dreams of becoming a midwife, and we truly believe she can achieve them. We’re so proud of her resilience and determination.
*Name changed for privacy.
