Two senior members of staff from the Cramlington-based Bolam Group have signed up as volunteer mentors in support of a North East charity helping teenage boys build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in the workplace.
Matthew Fretwell, Production Manager at MCR Services and Warehouse Manager at sister company Moody Logistics and Storage, has joined The Boys’ Network mentoring programme run by North Tyneside charity M10. He is joined by Martin Mitchinson, the Group’s Financial Controller.
M10 pairs young men with male professionals for monthly one-to-one virtual mentoring sessions over ten months. Each mentor meets their mentee during a guided Zoom session, discussing core topics and sharing practical insights, and lived experience.
They cover such subjects as emotional intelligence, resilience, team work, and interview skills, that help young men understand the realities of working life, and feel more confident about their next steps into further education or employment.
Stephen Riley, CEO of M10, said he was delighted to welcome Matthew and Martin to the growing network of mentors: “Positive male role models are vital in helping young men navigate the challenges of growing up and preparing for working life. We’re pleased to have Matthew and Martin on board. Their experience, honesty and willingness to give up their time will make a real difference to the young people they support.”
Matthew’s involvement follows MCR’s partnership with M10 earlier this year, when the firm provided workplace experience to two 15-year-old students from Cramlington Learning Village. Rhys and Kenzie spent time across both MCR Services – which provides contract packing, quality inspection, fulfilment, returns handling and rework services for businesses across the UK – and Moody Logistics & Storage, learning about roles, responsibilities and career opportunities in the logistics and production sectors.
Matthew, who joined the business at 18 as an apprentice, said: “Becoming a mentor feels like a natural step after seeing how Rhys and Kenzie benefitted from their work placement. A little bit of guidance at the right time can make a huge difference.”
Martin Mitchinson added: “It’s very easy for young men to feel unsure about where they fit in or what comes next. If I can help someone build some self-belief and understand that they do have a future, then it’s absolutely worth it.”
Caroline Moody, Bolam Group’s Managing Director, said: “The challenges facing young men today are well documented, and programmes like this help them connect to someone who understands the world of work and wants them to succeed. Matthew and Martin have a huge amount of experience to offer and will be brilliant role models.”
