A LOCAL church has put together a team of mentors to support vulnerable students at Chulmleigh College.

The group of 10 mentors was formed when lay reader Elaine Cook met with the headteacher and deputy headteacher to find out how St Mary Magdalene Church in Chulmleigh could support the school.

The team provides emotional support, such as talking through friendship issues and navigating difficult family and home situations, and helps students build confidence and resilience.

Ms Cook described the mentoring scheme as a “long-term commitment” to a student.

“We aren’t working with students to reach a target, we are dealing with youngsters for whom life is very difficult,” she said.

“Day by day, they are facing challenges. It’s quite a different type of mentoring, which makes it unique.

“We need to care for the children and families in the next generations that are coming through, so that they have the best start.”

Chulmleigh College Senior Teacher for Behaviour Standards and Safeguarding Rachel Woods said: “Mentors can add a real sense of stability. It’s that anchor point to the week that’s important for the students.

“The church has understood the needs and worldview of the children. Lots of our mentors will have been motivated by their faith to do this, but they know and respect boundaries.

“We feel such a joy to have the mentors in. They have been so responsive to need, they have been dynamic, and they’ve been flexible over what we’ve needed them to do.

“It goes beyond social and emotional stuff, it’s the practical care as well.

“Our mentors are completely open-hearted when they meet with people. Whoever they meet, they will be treated in the same way.”

St Mary Magdalene Church also supports the school by helping families struggling financially to have access to food and school uniforms.