Volunteer Mentor
Mahdlo Mentoring is a new volunteering project designed to offer one to one support to young people aged 8 -21 (or 25 if they have additional needs). The mentor will meet the young person for up to 2 hours per week and will commit to mentoring for at least 12 months. The mentors are there to offer support, guidance and assistance in dealing with any difficulties a young person may be experiencing. Mentors are people who want to share their time, knowledge & practical skills to enable young people to progress. Mentors are people from the community who can relate to young people positively and want to make a difference. The relationship is based on mutual respect and honesty. The relationship is voluntary and the young person chooses whether they want to be involved – it’s entirely up to them. Mentors, usually 21 years plus, come from all walks of life and no specific educational qualifications are required. The Mentoring Project aims to recruit people with potential, as well as those with relevant experience and qualifications.
Role Description:
- To celebrate and assist Young People celebrate their achievements
- To meet and actively develop a supportive relationship with Young People
- To assist them gain information and support their understanding about relevant issues e.g. housing, training and employment, relationships/personal issues.
- Enable Young People to access appropriate professional support provided by other agencies.
- To ensure Young People know about additional support services available to them and how best to utilise them
- To give practical help to Young People and help them develop life skills
- To provide guidance to Young People on how they can best use the Mentoring Project
- To inform Young People of the boundaries of the relationship
- To identify and communicate your support needs and make effective use of support mechanisms provided by the Project
- To attend and participate fully in Mentoring Supervision and Training sessions
- To complete paperwork relevant to the Mentoring Project and make it available as required
- To adhere to the Policies and Procedures in the delivery of your role
Potential Volunteers need to
- Have the time, energy and enthusiasm to fulfil the Mentoring role.
- Be able to relate to Young People in a positive way
- Show commitment to Young People and the Project, giving 1-2 hours on a weekly basis
- Have the ability to accept others as they are
- Be open to learning and show commitment to self-development
- Be open and willing to look at themselves, sharing thoughts about prejudices and personal short - comings
- Have the ability and commitment to be non-judgmental and non-discriminatory
- Provide two satisfactory reference and comply with DBS (Disclosure & Barring Services) and Child Protection procedures
Training & Development
- This role is subject to successful completion of the Mentoring Training Programme
- All volunteers will complete Mahdloessential training such as Health & Safety and Safeguarding Children
- Relevant on-going training will be available to enhance and develop mentors skills
- Mentors will receive regular individual supervision focusing on personal development
- Mentors will also receive group supervision and develop their skills & knowledge through sharing best practice with fellow mentors
- Mentors will receive regular support from coordinators, including weekly telephone contact and by request if needed
- Mentors will also develop through opportunities to be involved in group activities
Times for this opportunity:
- Deadlines for applications are ongoing.