Civic Engagement - Helping Children Discover Their Place in the Community

Children who feel connected to their communities are more likely to grow into confident, engaged and active citizens. That's why civic engagement sits at the heart of the Department for Education's new Enrichment Framework, encouraging schools to create opportunities for pupils to contribute, participate and understand the role they can play in the world around them.

At TKN, we believe those skills don't begin with joining a school council or volunteering for the first time. They begin much earlier, with confidence, curiosity and a trusted relationship.

Through weekly one-to-one mentoring, children build the confidence to share their ideas, ask questions and explore the world beyond home and school. Together, mentors and mentees discover new places across London, connect with their local communities and encourage children to see that this city and the opportunities within it are theirs to explore.

These experiences help children develop the confidence, communication skills and sense of belonging that underpin meaningful civic engagement. By introducing children to new environments, encouraging conversations about their communities and helping them recognise the positive role they can play, mentoring lays the foundations for active citizenship long before secondary school.

As schools look to strengthen their enrichment offer, mentoring provides a powerful way to nurture the confidence, independence and community connection that children need to thrive, both in school and beyond.

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