Statistics around youth violence and offending are showing some worrying trends. Youth justice statistics for 2023-24 (published January 2025) showed “the number of proven offences committed by children saw a year-on-year increase for the second consecutive year, rising by 4% to around 35,600.” Additionally, “the proven reoffending rate for children increased to 32.5%, a 0.3 percentage point increase on the previous year, while the number of children and the number of reoffenders both increased for the first time in the last 10 years.”
With that in mind, organisations such as the Youth Endowment Fund are taking a close look at what methods are most effective for preventing violence. As they state, “violence isn’t inevitable. Research shows that certain approaches, such as mentoring, therapies and hot spots policing, can reduce children’s vulnerability to violence. But knowing what works is pointless unless it’s put into action and changes are made across systems.”
Youth mentoring has emerged as a powerful and effective strategy in preventing youth violence. As communities grapple with the complex root causes of youth violence, the proactive, preventative approach offered by mentorship programmes stands out as a key tool for addressing issues. Rather than simply reacting to incidents, these programmes tackle the underlying factors that can lead young people down a path of violence, promoting an alternative of positive personal development.
The Value of Strong Relationships
One of the most critical roles of youth mentoring is providing a stable, positive adult relationship. Catch-22 draw attention to the importance of this in their work around crime diversion and prevention, describing how “at the heart of this is our belief that relationships are crucial to effective desistance from offending.”
For many young people, particularly those in at-risk environments, consistent adult guidance can be scarce. Mentors serve as a reliable source of support, offering a listening ear, non-judgmental advice, and a consistent presence. This relationship alone can be transformative, helping a young person feel seen, valued, and less isolated.
Trained youth mentors are able to establish trust whilst maintaining boundaries in order to provide personalised support. The resulting sense of connection and belonging can be a powerful antidote to the feelings of hopelessness and alienation which otherwise make young people more vulnerable to becoming involved with anti-social groups and potentially violent behaviour.
Skill Development and Youth Violence Prevention
Mentors can help young people develop essential life skills and healthy coping mechanisms. Violence is often a manifestation of a lack of effective communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills. A mentor can guide a young person in learning how to navigate conflict peacefully, express their feelings constructively, and manage frustration and anger without resorting to aggression.
Using tools such as role-playing, open dialogue, and real-life examples, mentors provide a safe space to practice these skills, equipping young people with the tools they need to make better choices in challenging situations.
The Mentors in Violence Prevention programme in particular makes use of these approaches, exploring “a series of ‘scenarios’ involving a range of behaviours, such as name-calling, sexting, controlling behaviour and harassment. Using a ‘bystander’ approach individuals are not considered potential victims or perpetrators; instead, they are empowered and active bystanders with the ability to support and challenge their peers in a safe way.”
Furthermore, the National Lottery Community Fund reported on how it was vital that projects around preventing youth violence include a focus on “raising aspirations and providing positive role models and alternatives through early, universal approaches in education, care and youth settings… Build the resilience of young people to cope with and bounce back from adversity. Address structural and personal barriers to employment and training.”
The presence of a mentor can significantly impact a young person’s academic and career aspirations. Studies have shown a strong correlation between educational attainment and a reduced likelihood of engaging in criminal or violent behaviour. Mentors can encourage academic success, help with homework, and expose young people to different career paths, inspiring them to see a future beyond their current circumstances.
By broadening a young person’s horizons and helping them set and achieve goals, mentors provide a sense of purpose and direction that can deter them from destructive activities and youth violence.
Improve Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Mentoring also plays a crucial role in improving a young person’s social and emotional well-being. It can boost self-esteem and self-worth, which are often low in those who are struggling with youth violence.
One example of this can be seen in the work being done by Lives Not Knives. They describe how, “given that most of the young people referred to LNK are born into socioeconomic disadvantage and have already suffered significant trauma in their lives, LNK believes that by mentoring these young people, taking the time to understand their situation, and offering them a safe environment, we can help them to overcome obstacles in their lives and succeed.”
By celebrating small victories and providing consistent encouragement, a mentor helps a young person build confidence in their ability to succeed. This increased self-worth can lead to more positive social interactions and a greater ability to resist negative peer pressure, which is a significant driver of youth violence.
Community Empowering Approaches
Beyond the individual benefits, youth mentoring programs can contribute to a broader community-level change. By engaging caring adults as mentors, these programs strengthen the social fabric of a community and help to develop a culture of support and collective responsibility. Such shifts are fundamental for long term prevention of youth violence.
The Young Lives Foundation is a great example of this, with their community mentoring programme which “aims to improve skills, behaviour and relationships, building on goals set by the young person.” Their approach works with the young person over time in a way which is grounded in their local community, in turn helping them to access wider networks for long term support.
When a community invests in its young people, it sends a powerful message that they are welcomed and valued. This collective effort creates a safer, more supportive environment for all.
Conclusion
The role of youth mentoring in tackling and preventing violence is multifaceted and profound. It is not a quick fix but a long-term investment in a young person’s life, one that yields lasting positive outcomes. By providing stable relationships, teaching life skills, nurturing aspirations, and building self-worth, mentors empower young people to break cycles of violence and become agents of positive change in their own lives and communities.
To learn more about youth mentoring, and the training which is available, check out our Youth Mentor Course Page.