Education South Africa Project #55720

SAYes Mentoring - Support our Mentors and Mentees

by South African Youth Education for Sustainability

SAYes Mentoring - Support our Mentors and Mentees

Project Report | Jun 18, 2025
The Power of Digital Community

By Colleen Pinto | Communications Manager

During Mental Health Awareness Week, SAYes Mentoring was proud to join organisations and youth workers from across London at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Network event. Transition Specialist Natika, along with Mentee Liaisons Marriam and Rose, represented SAYes in a day of learning, reflection, and meaningful conversation around the year’s theme: the power of community. The event’s discussions centered around a vital and timely question: How can digital organisations contribute to mental health and wellbeing — especially for young people? As mentoring increasingly takes place in hybrid or online environments, this topic speaks directly to the work we do at SAYes.

One of the key themes explored was the potential for digital spaces to act as preventive tools in mental health. While there is often concern about the impact of social media, there’s another side to the story — one that recognises the value of safe, intentional online communities. At SAYes, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of connection. This event reminded us that community doesn’t have to be in-person to be impactful. Online spaces, when built thoughtfully, can offer safety, belonging, and mental health support. As we continue to support young people through mentoring, we’re more committed than ever to recognising the full ecosystem of care — from mentors to digital communities to professional services.

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Feb 19, 2025
Support our Mentees - Find out about Mentoring

By Michelle Potter | Executive Director and Founder

Oct 23, 2024
SAYes Mentoring GlobalGiving Project Update

By Michelle Potter | Executive Director

Matching Success in the UK

Our Greater London Authority (GLA) and ‘New Deal for Young People’ programme is truly up and running now.

In September alone, our Transition Specialists have matched and contracted more than ever - pairing young Londoners with new, and returning mentors, from around the globe. But we still need more volunteers to reach our ongoing targets. We're actively recruiting now, seeking even more mentors before the end of this year. Email: volunteer@sayesmentoring.org to apply.

Harnessing the Power of Sport to Inspire Young People

After continuing successful partnerships with Nike and Waves for Change, SAYes was delighted to be invited to present at the prestigious Laureus Sport for Good event in Johannesburg. We were able to engage with organisations, and young people alike, to describe the work of SAYes; what we do; and the power of mentoring.

SAYes Ambassador Michel joined Bridget for a Q&A, where they highlighted the power of mentorship, then Michel explained the impact that the SAYes programme has had on his success. He believes that it changes lives, opens doors, and creates opportunities.

To cap it all off, we were excited to listen to SAYes Patron, and South Africa rugby legend, Jean De Villiers, who was also a guest speaker at the event.

Investing in the Future

We were recently invited to attend a workshop on Financial Education, organised by one of our partners, Netto Invest. The SAYes Alumni, and mentees from some of our partner Child and Youth Centres (St George’s and SOS Children’s Villages), had the opportunity to learn important aspects of financial literacy, and dealing with money.

After the event, Netto Invest Communications Manager, Annuschka du Preez, commended the young people who people attended:

“It was such a pleasure doing this event with SAYes. The planning process was seamless and on the day all the guests arrived in good spirits. We were pleasantly surprised with their confidence in asking questions and their general interest in what the presenters had to say. Everyone was so interactive and enjoyable. Looking forward to our next experience with SAYes!”

SAYes and Nike e-mentoring Programme

We’re excited to announce that our continuing partnership with Nike will launch again next year. More news coming soon…

As always, we couldn't do all this without your support.
Kind Regards, Michelle

Links:

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