Mentivity Respite Provision

Our bespoke, holistic programmes provide an alternative to managed moves or permanent exclusion from mainstream settings. Based at Mentivity House in SE17, our young people have the chance to re-engage with education and develop essential life, social & academic skills, charting a path towards a brighter & progressive future.

Our provision is trauma informed and underpinned by the 6 principles of nurture.

  • Learning is Understood Developmentally.

  • Creating a Safe Base.

  • Prioritising Well-being Development.

  • Emphasising Effective Communication.

  • Understanding Behaviour as Communication.

  • Supporting Transitions with Structure.

A Holistic Alternative

An alternative to managed moves or permanent exclusion, we provide a bespoke, holistic programme for Young People while on respite from a mainstream setting.

How we support young people at risk of exclusion.

  • Targeted intervention to address behavioural needs & social development, reigniting and encouraging a love for learning.

  • Bespoke mentoring for each child. Encouraging students to work towards specific & achievable goals, with time set aside for self-reflection.

  • Social, emotional and behavioural support.

  • Independent, 1-1 & group learning within a calm setting.

  • Our team have over 30 years of teaching experience (SEND, Pastoral, Mentoring and Nurture Groups) within Mainstream, Special schools and PRUs.

  • Experienced at working with students at risk of NEET.

  • Mental Health First Aid trained, Trauma Informed Training (ACE, PTSD) Contextual Familial Harm Training (County Lines, Domestic Abuse) Nurture UK trained

Meet the Team

With a combined experience of over three decades in alternative education, SEND, and pastoral care, our Respite Team is uniquely equipped to transform young lives.

Jennifer Holmes brings 18 years of dedication to setting up nurture groups, reintegrating students into mainstream education, and championing inclusion and progress for pupils with SEND.

Patrick Egbuchiem adds 14 years of mentoring and teaching, guiding students to exceed expectations and secure opportunities for lifelong success.

Together, Jennifer and Patrick offer a wealth of expertise and a shared passion for creating pathways that inspire confidence, resilience, and brighter futures for all.

  • Head of Education and Deputy Safeguarding Lead

    I am an experienced and dedicated practitioner and have taught in Alternative and SEMH provisions, primary and secondary schools and adult education over the past 18 years. I specialise in setting up and running Nurture groups (SILs 3), PRUs (SILs 6 in Southwark) and teaching pupils with SEND. I have a high success rate of pupil reintegration back into mainstream from alternative provisions, and supporting pupils to make accelerated progress (Harris Academy – Transition classes). I am NurtureUK accredited and trauma informed trained.

    I am passionate and enthusiastic about teaching and learning and I always seek to promote equal opportunities, inclusion and value diversity amongst all students and adults. I believe that I can make a difference to pupils’ lives by empowering them and in turn improve their life chances. I am committed to raising standards and improving pupils’ performance and progress in education, so that they can have a clear and supported pathway to adulthood.

  • Teacher & Safeguarding Lead

    I am a teacher, mentor, and pastoral lead of 14years, and have been working directly with young people in a PRU/Mentoring setting since 2006.

    I previously had a number of years in the music and television industry, but found myself feeling empty, as I knew people from my socio-economic community were missing, or not being given, the chance to progress career wise.

    I have an extensive background in SEND and Pastoral care in schools across London, and have also taught both GCSE Media and Business Studies in my time in mainstream schools. On top of this, I have led multiples groups of Year 11 students as Head of Year to results above projections, as well as mobilised students at risk of NEET into roles and courses that have ensured that they remained in education, or at the very least, created fruitful employment opportunities for themselves.

    One of my goals is to see young people of all backgrounds, reach the destination that they aspire to, free of the shackles of bias, prejudice, and financial elitism. With Mentivity, I have found my space to aid me in meeting my goals.

 

Make A Donation.

Weʼre raising £1,000,000 to run sessions at Mentivity House, provide support for young people through our new Youth Club offer and the wider community at the Mentivity House on the Aylesbury Estate, Southwark.