Denis Law Legacy Trust and MCR Pathways are proud to announce a new partnership to provide enhanced support and opportunity for young people in Aberdeen City, ensuring they have someone helping them find their path to realise their full potential.
MCR Pathways will deliver its award-winning mentoring programme via the Trusts current “Denis Law Academy” programme, offering one-to-one support to young people who would benefit from a consistent, trusted adult role model.
Last year, more than 84,000 volunteering hours were delivered by MCR Pathways mentors, supporting 5,930 young people across Scotland. Research consistently shows that having one trusted adult who shows up consistently can be transformational for young people.
The charity’s most recent survey found that 99% of mentored young people who responded said their mentor was a great role model, 96% said mentoring improved their confidence, and 95% said it helped them with goal setting.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving school attendance, raising attainment, broadening aspirations and ensuring every young person has the confidence and support to achieve a positive destination post school.
MCR Pathways works to help young people across Scotland, particularly those who are care-experienced or facing additional challenges, to realise their full potential. Through weekly mentoring sessions and tailored support, the programme builds confidence, improves engagement and strengthens pathways into further education, employment and training.
Denis Law Legacy Trust, named in honour of one of Scotland’s most celebrated footballers and proud Aberdeen son, is dedicated to improving the lives of young people across the city through free, accessible, and community‑based programmes. The Trust works directly in communities where additional support is most needed, providing safe spaces, positive role models, and meaningful opportunities for young people to grow in confidence, wellbeing, and ambition.
Through its award‑winning StreetSport, CLUB 10 and Denis Law Academy programmes, the Trust engaged with over 30,000 participations in 2025, all from disadvantaged young people, helping them build resilience, broaden aspirations, and develop the skills to thrive.
Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Denis Law Legacy Trust said: "This partnership represents a powerful step forward in our commitment to giving every young person the chance to thrive. By combining the strength of our work via the Denis Law Academy with MCR Pathways’ proven mentoring model, we can offer deeper, more personalised support to those who need it most. Every young person deserves someone who believes in them, and this collaboration ensures they have a trusted adult championing their potential, their confidence, and their future. We are incredibly proud to work alongside MCR Pathways to help more young people in Aberdeen find their path and realise what they are truly capable of."
Jackie Dunbar MSP visited and met with some of the new mentors and their mentees, "The Denis Law Legacy Trust and Robert Gordon University have done amazing work to support young people in Aberdeen, connecting with them through their programmes, and helping give them a wee push in the right direction. Teaming up with MCR Pathways, and the mentoring work they do, sounds like a perfect trinity working to build on the legacy of a member of Manchester United’s famous Trinity of Law, Charlton and Best.
“Denis Law got a helping hand from his community, not least from the neighbour who gave him his first pair of football boots. Just like Denis when he was growing up, there are thousands of young people in Aberdeen today who could benefit from a wee help, and this mentoring partnership will support just that.”
Gavin Jardine, Head of the North Region with MCR Pathways, added: “We’re delighted to have established a partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust to deliver an exciting new community based personalised relationship based mentoring service in Aberdeen, offering greater flexibility, improved access to mentoring, wider reach, integrated support and stronger local connections to help young people realise their amazing potential and create their own positive futures.
“Our message to young people is that wherever you are, we want mentoring to be available to support you. A trusted adult mentor helps build confidence, provides a listening ear and life experience and understands your worries and dreams, helping you to move toward to realising the fulfilling future you want.
“Having someone who shows up, listens without judgment, and believes in you—through all of life's ups and downs —can be the first step toward exciting change and new possibilities.”
About Denis Law Academy
Denis Law Academy is a youth development and personal growth programme delivered by the Denis Law Legacy Trust to support young people across Aberdeen. Built on the Trust’s commitment to empowerment, wellbeing, and opportunity, the Academy provides structured support that helps young people develop confidence, skills, and positive aspirations for their future.
The Academy works with young people who may benefit from additional encouragement, positive role modelling, or guided pathways into further opportunities. Through a mix of group activities, individual support, volunteering routes, and engagement with trusted adults.
The Academy complements the Trust’s long‑standing StreetSport programme by offering deeper, tailored support for young people who want to progress beyond weekly sessions. At its heart, the Denis Law Academy honours Denis Law’s values of hard work, ambition, and community pride, helping young people to recognise their potential and build a positive, fulfilling future, regardless of background or circumstance.
www.denislawlegacytrust.org
About MCR Pathways
An unfair start in life can cause young people to lose direction. MCR Pathways is dedicated to ensuring that every young person—particularly those who are care-experienced or facing wider challenges and adversity—have someone to help them find their path. These individuals face significant disparities in outcomes compared to their peers. Mentoring has the power to change that. In partnership with schools, local authorities, and businesses, MCR Pathways trains mentors from all walks of life to provide guidance, encouragement, and support. Just one hour a week with a mentor can build confidence, unlock potential, and make a lasting impact on a young person’s future.
mcrpathways.org