Help a young person make their gap year count
Some young people choose to take a planned gap year before university, further study or employment. Others find themselves in an unexpected gap year because plans have changed, opportunities haven’t worked out, or they’re simply unsure what they want to do next.
Through Redirection Next Steps, Aston-Mansfield supports young people aged 18–25 in Newham and East London to use this time positively, exploring their options, building confidence and skills, gaining experience and creating a clearer plan for what comes next.
Help a young person make their gap year count
Some young people choose to take a planned gap year before university, further study or employment. Others find themselves in an unexpected gap year because plans have changed, opportunities haven’t worked out, or they’re simply unsure what they want to do next.
Through Redirection Next Steps, Aston-Mansfield supports young people aged 18–25 in Newham and East London to use this time positively, exploring their options, building confidence and skills, gaining experience and creating a clearer plan for what comes next.
Every gap year looks different
Young people come to Redirection Next Steps at different points in their journey.
Planned Gap Year
Some young people choose to take a gap year before university, further study or employment. They may want to travel, gain work experience, explore their interests or develop new skills.
Unexpected Gap Year
Others find themselves in a gap year because plans have changed, opportunities haven’t worked out, or they’re unsure what they want to do next. They may need support to regain confidence, explore their options and find a sense of direction.
Mentoring Matters
A mentor provides a consistent person to talk things through with, encourage progress and help a young person stay accountable to the goals they have set for themselves.
Find their direction
Help them explore what interests them, understand their options and identify realistic next steps.
Build confidence
Encourage them to recognise their strengths, develop self-belief and feel more confident about their future.
Develop communication confidence
Help them become more comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions and engaging with people outside their usual circles.
Turn ideas into action
Support them to set achievable goals, break them down into manageable steps and keep moving forward.
Make the most of their gap year
Help them identify opportunities to gain skills and experience through employment, volunteering, training, projects, learning or other activities.
Expand their horizons and networks
Introduce them to new ideas, industries and opportunities and, where appropriate, people within your own professional or wider network.
Find their direction
Help them explore what interests them, understand their options and identify realistic next steps.
Build confidence
Encourage them to recognise their strengths, develop self-belief and feel more confident about their future.
Develop communication confidence
Help them become more comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions and engaging with people outside their usual circles.
Turn ideas into action
Support them to set achievable goals, break them down into manageable steps and keep moving forward.
Make the most of their gap year
Help them identify opportunities to gain skills and experience through employment, volunteering, training, projects, learning or other activities.
Expand their horizons and networks
Introduce them to new ideas, industries and opportunities and, where appropriate, people within your own professional or wider network.
A programme shaped by young people
Redirection Next Steps grew from what young people told us about the transition after education, and the difference the right support can make.
Ibrahim first joined Aston-Mansfield as a Changemaker and is now one of our Young Facilitators. Having experienced mentoring himself, he saw the value of having someone outside your immediate circle who can offer perspective, encouragement and accountability.
As part of his social action work, Ibrahim wanted to help create that opportunity for other young people in Newham and East London who are taking a gap year or navigating an uncertain next step.
Ibrahim, Young Facilitator, Aston-Mansfield
Having a mentor really helped me. It gave me someone outside my usual circle to talk things through with, encouraged me to try new things and helped me see what was possible. I wanted to create that same opportunity for other young people, so they can have someone there to support them as they work out what comes next.
Redirection Next Steps grew from what young people told us about the transition after education, and the difference the right support can make.
Ibrahim first joined Aston-Mansfield as a Changemaker and is now one of our Young Facilitators. Having experienced mentoring himself, he saw the value of having someone outside your immediate circle who can offer perspective, encouragement and accountability.
As part of his social action work, Ibrahim wanted to help create that opportunity for other young people in Newham and East London who are taking a gap year or navigating an uncertain next step.
Ibrahim, Young Facilitator, Aston-Mansfield
Having a mentor really helped me. It gave me someone outside my usual circle to talk things through with, encouraged me to try new things and helped me see what was possible. I wanted to create that same opportunity for other young people, so they can have someone there to support them as they work out what comes next.
Can you be a mentor?
You don’t need to work in a particular profession or have previous mentoring experience.
A great mentor doesn’t need to have all the answers. What matters is being willing to listen, ask thoughtful questions, share what you have learned and help a young person follow through on the goals they have set for themselves.
We’re looking for people who:
- believe in the potential of young people
- are willing to listen, encourage and ask thoughtful questions
- can share their skills, knowledge and life or professional experience
- are reliable and able to commit to regular mentoring sessions
- want to help a young person in Newham and East London make positive use of an important year in their life.
Your own career journey doesn’t need to match your mentee’s ambitions. The changes of direction, opportunities, challenges and lessons you have experienced along the way can all provide valuable perspective.
Your mentoring commitment
1-2 hours per month
We ask mentors to commit to a minimum of six mentoring sessions over the six months, usually around one session each month.
Preferably in person
Wherever possible, we would like the core mentoring sessions to take place in person. Sessions could take place at Aston-Mansfield, at your workplace or at another suitable public location such as a café. We understand this will not always be practical, so sessions can also take place online where needed.
Responsive when it matters
There may occasionally be times when a young person would benefit from a short additional conversation, for example, some extra support before an interview, application or important decision. We welcome this where mentors have the time and capacity, while always being respectful of your availability.
Six-month programme
Matching will take place during November 2026, with mentoring relationships beginning by the end of November.
Can you be a mentor?
You don’t need to work in a particular profession or have previous mentoring experience.
A great mentor doesn’t need to have all the answers. What matters is being willing to listen, ask thoughtful questions, share what you have learned and help a young person follow through on the goals they have set for themselves.
We’re looking for people who:
- believe in the potential of young people
- are willing to listen, encourage and ask thoughtful questions
- can share their skills, knowledge and life or professional experience
- are reliable and able to commit to regular mentoring sessions
- want to help a young person in Newham and East London make positive use of an important year in their life.
Your own career journey doesn’t need to match your mentee’s ambitions. The changes of direction, opportunities, challenges and lessons you have experienced along the way can all provide valuable perspective.
Your mentoring commitment
1-2 hours per month
We ask mentors to commit to a minimum of six mentoring sessions over the six months, usually around one session each month.
Preferably in person
Wherever possible, we would like the core mentoring sessions to take place in person. Sessions could take place at Aston-Mansfield, at your workplace or at another suitable public location such as a café. We understand this will not always be practical, so sessions can also take place online where needed.
Responsive when it matters
There may occasionally be times when a young person would benefit from a short additional conversation, for example, some extra support before an interview, application or important decision. We welcome this where mentors have the time and capacity, while always being respectful of your availability.
Six-month programme
Matching will take place during November 2026, with mentoring relationships beginning by the end of November.
Supporting young people to shape their futures
Aston-Mansfield works alongside young people and communities across Newham and East London, helping to create access to opportunities, build confidence and develop the skills and networks that enable people to shape their own futures.
Over the past five years, we have supported 2518 young people through our youth programmes
2,518
young people supported
Aston-Mansfield works alongside young people and communities across Newham and East London, helping to create access to opportunities, build confidence and develop the skills and networks that enable people to shape their own futures.
Over the past five years, we have supported 2518 young people through our youth programmes
2,518
young
people
supported
We'll support you too
You won’t be expected to do this alone.
Aston-Mansfield will provide mentor training, safeguarding guidance, resources to support your mentoring conversations and ongoing support throughout the six months.
We will also organise and cover the cost of the appropriate DBS check.
Mentors will be matched thoughtfully with a young person, taking into account their interests, aspirations, availability and the kind of support that will be most useful.
What happens next
Complete our short mentor registration form.
We’ll arrange a 15–20 minute online conversation to get to know you and talk through the programme.
We’ll ask you to provide two references and we’ll organise your DBS check. Aston-Mansfield will cover the cost.
You’ll receive training, safeguarding guidance and the information you need before mentoring begins.
We’ll match you with a young person based on their goals, interests, availability and the type of support they are looking for.
Then the mentoring relationship begins.
Make a young person's gap year, a year of opportunity!
With the right opportunities, encouragement and support, a gap year can be a year in which a young person gains experience, builds confidence, grows their network and develops a clearer sense of where they want to go next.
Your experience, encouragement and perspective could help them get there.
We'll support you too
You won’t be expected to do this alone.
Aston-Mansfield will provide mentor training, safeguarding guidance, resources to support your mentoring conversations and ongoing support throughout the six months.
We will also organise and cover the cost of the appropriate DBS check.
Mentors will be matched thoughtfully with a young person, taking into account their interests, aspirations, availability and the kind of support that will be most useful.
What happens next
Complete our short mentor registration form.
We’ll arrange a 15–20 minute online conversation to get to know you and talk through the programme.
We’ll ask you to provide two references and we’ll organise your DBS check. Aston-Mansfield will cover the cost.
You’ll receive training, safeguarding guidance and the information you need before mentoring begins.
We’ll match you with a young person based on their goals, interests, availability and the type of support they are looking for.
Then the mentoring relationship begins.
Make a young person's gap year, a year of opportunity!
With the right opportunities, encouragement and support, a gap year can be a year in which a young person gains experience, builds confidence, grows their network and develops a clearer sense of where they want to go next.
Your experience, encouragement and perspective could help them get there.
Could your organisation support young people through mentoring?
Corporate Mentoring with Aston-Mansfield
Give your employees the opportunity to support young people in Newham and East London.
Redirection Next Steps gives employees a practical way to use their experience to make a meaningful difference to a young person, while also developing their own listening, communication, coaching and leadership skills.
We welcome individual mentors as well as employers interested in involving colleagues through employee volunteering, CSR or community engagement programmes.
Could your organisation support young people through mentoring?
Corporate Mentoring with Aston-Mansfield
Give your employees the opportunity to support young people in Newham and East London.
Redirection Next Steps gives employees a practical way to use their experience to make a meaningful difference to a young person, while also developing their own listening, communication, coaching and leadership skills.
We welcome individual mentors as well as employers interested in involving colleagues through employee volunteering, CSR or community engagement programmes.