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Chance UK, London – awarded £131,650 over three years

Chance UK is an award-winning charity that trains and supports adult mentors for primary school children with behavioural difficulties. The mentors work one-to-one with a child for a year, taking them out once a week in order to help them address their difficulties and broaden their horizons.

Rio lived with his grandmother because his mother was in prison and Social Services only allowed his father limited contact.

Rio had a wonderful year with his mentor, Dione. They had many shared interests and every session was fun packed.

Dione also made sure that she helped Rio with his difficulties, for example boosting his self-esteem through giving him positive attention and praise, and teaching him simple techniques to help him manage his anger.

At the end of the year Rio's grandmother said: "Rio is a lot calmer. He still has his little tantrums but only for a minute or two, when they used to be uncontrollable and [last] up to an hour. This is a major change… now we can go out together."

Note to editors

Other case histories are available.