The Mentoring Project

Of all the services provided by the Club, the Mentoring Project has been one of the most successful. The aim of the project is to link young people classed as being vulnerable and at risk, with an appropriate volunteer mentor who befriends, supports and builds a trusting relationship with them. The mentor acts as a positive role model and someone the young person can turn to in confidence. In 2010, this hugely successful project was awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Services, the Cabinet Office ‘Gold Star’ status and ‘Approved Provider’ status by the National Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

The Project began in 1997 as a result of growing concerns from staff and volunteers within the youth club section. It had become noticeable that many young people attending the evening youth club were experiencing a wide range of complex issues, including not attending school, experimenting with substances, getting involved in criminal activity and generally opting out of mainstream society. The Club realised that these youngsters needed some additional support from someone who was credible in terms of being a non-professional. This led to the formation of the project. Since then the project has expanded far beyond the small remit we had anticipated.

Mentors are volunteers who are recruited and trained to work voluntarily, on a one to one basis, with the youngsters. Their role is quite simply to motivate and encourage their assigned youngster, whilst building a relationship, aiming to increase confidence and self-esteem and so enabling them to make more appropriate choices as they approach their adult life. The mentors meet their young person every week for a period of around 12 months. It is this unique, stable, adult influence that really impacts on young lives. Our experiences have clearly demonstrated that the youngsters respond positively to volunteer mentors and develop strong bonds with them. The voluntary ethos of the scheme has a definite advantage, as the young people soon learn that their mentor spends time with them because they genuinely want to and not because they are paid to.

• Would you like to volunteer and provide vital support to a young person?
• Would you like to refer a young person to our project?
• Are you able to provide funds towards the project and help provide continued work for our young people?

If the answer is yes to any of the above then please call us the Mentoring Team on 01204 540111.