Our impact
Brightside mentees did better in their GCSEs by 4.8 grades across all subjects
Brightside mentees are twice as likely to enter higher education
Brightside mentees are twice as likely to complete their degrees
Our impact approach
Our impact approach is underpinned by our Theory of Change, which is based on an extensive review of evidence, consultation with mentoring experts, our own lessons from many years of delivery, and – most importantly – input from young people, their mentors and our partners. This year we reviewed our outcomes to ensure that we’re in line with best practice and current evidence, and we’ve identified three outcomes that help young people to make confident and informed decisions.
Pathways knowledge: mentees are more aware of the options available
Self-knowledge: mentees are more aware of their own interests, strengths and future goals
Confidence in career decisions: mentees have increased confidence in their ability to make significant career decisions
Our reach
Since 2003:
young people have benefitted from our online mentoring
messages exchanged between mentees and mentors on our platform
of mentees have been from areas of multiple deprivation
Engaged mentees are those who have sent 3+ messages to their mentor
1 of 1
Engaged mentees are those who have sent 3+ messages to their mentor
1 of 1You can find our most up-to-date yearly numbers in our annual impact reports.
Evidence
Our long-term tracking data indicates a link between this supported, confident decision-making and good graduate outcomes
Data from HEAT and HESA, for 1,380 Brightside mentees in POLAR4 Q1 who were HE-ready between 2016/17 and 2019/20
1 of 1
Data from HEAT and HESA, for 1,380 Brightside mentees in POLAR4 Q1 who were HE-ready between 2016/17 and 2019/20
1 of 1
Students from the lowest participation and highest deprivation areas who receive Brightside mentoring are twice as likely to access higher education than those who don’t.
They are also more likely to complete their course.
Our most recent project evaluation data shows that
Data from 1,593 mentees who completed projects in 20/21
1 of 1
Data from 1,593 mentees who completed projects in 20/21
1 of 178% of surveyed mentees indicated that Brightside mentoring had influenced their decision about their next steps.
The average change for confidence that the decision was right for them was an increase of 5 percentage points
79% of mentees recorded a positive change in confidence after their mentoring experience
Theory of Change
Developing an evidence-based Theory of Change, which identifies what actions and outcomes will enable us to meet our mission, was a crucial step in committing ourselves to being impact-led.
Our Theory of Change shows that online mentoring supports young people to make confident and informed decisions by developing not only knowledge, skills, and networks but softer skills that foster confidence and motivation.
