Welcome to our new look! Read the story behind it.
For Schools
Would you like Growing2gether to support your school?
We work with young people aged 14 to 16 who may be struggling in school or life. They are then matched with nursery-aged children who also need extra support.
Our facilitators use transpersonal and positive psychology to highlight the young people's strengths and their achievements in the nursery, and help them to apply the learnings to their own lives.
The experience of mentoring helps the young people learn, recognise and embed their own new interpersonal skills.
How it works in schools - a six step plan
We work closely with teachers, who use our targeted tool to identify vulnerable young people, aged 13-16, who would benefit the most.
Each weekly session starts with a group activity, followed by 1-1 mentoring with the nursery child.
Armed with information, they make an informed choice on whether to join the programme.
The teens then rejoin their peer group and our facilitator, to integrate the session. They are guided to recognise their own positive impact – they see the child’s potential and are coached to reflect on their own.
With guidance from our facilitators, who are trauma-informed and trained in Transpersonal and Positive Psychology, the teens are paired with nursery children aged 3-5.
Throughout the 16 to 18-week programme, they create a portfolio for the Personal Development Award SCQF Level 4 qualification – this is often the first qualification they have ever achieved.
Would you like Growing2gether to support your school?
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16–18 week placement
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Facilitated peer group sessions
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Self-reflection, self-management, self-worth
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Recognised qualification offering future directions
‘Is it today my big friends are here?’
– nursery child on a Growing2gether programme
‘Growing2gether is a fantastic addition to what we can give pupils. It is unique in the way it develops skills, encourages participation, grows self-respect and responsibility. The opportunity for pupils to develop a close relationship with a child is an eye-opener. They learn what it is to be respected and, from that, follows the importance of resilience and reliability.’
Head Teacher
Integrated support
Weekly sessions with the nursery children are supported by group sessions with the facilitator, who explore
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Self-esteem and self-worth
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Behaviour awareness and empathy
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Emotional regulation and resilience
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Social responsibility and contribution
SCQF Level 4 qualification
This integration of structured self-development with direct, relational experience creates the conditions for real change.
Participants also earn a nationally recognised SCQF Level 4 Personal Development qualification, with units Self Awareness and Self in Community, supported by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
'Growing2gether works through various aspects of child development, building resilience and responsibility. Working with the younger children enables the older pupils to consider their own vulnerabilities and behaviours and to be supported through changes by trained facilitators.'
Bernadette Cairns, Principal Educational Psychologist, Highland Council.
Get Involved
If you would like to explore having Growing2gether in your school, please get in touch!
ursula.gebicke@growing2gether.org.uk
Programmes & Development Manager