Obtaining a mentor
About this service
Wiltshire Youth Offending Service co-ordinates a well-established and successful mentoring scheme, in which adult volunteers provide independent, one to one support to referred young people. All young people participating in the scheme take part on a voluntary basis.
The aims of the mentoring scheme are:
- To reduce offending behavior and the risk of re-offending
- To increase a young person's self-confidence, self - esteem and motivation
- To increase the number of young people in education, training and employment
Mentors meet with young people out in the community, usually somewhere like a local cafe or sports centre. Depending on a young person's interests, activities may include anything from just chatting, to walking the dog, playing pool, sharing an interest, using the internet, looking at job ads, visiting somewhere new, or maybe supporting a young person at a meeting The emphasis is on building a relationship, relaxing and having fun, as well as helping young people achieve the things they want to achieve.
Obtaining a mentor
If you are aged between 8 and 17 and are receiving or have received support from the Youth Offending Service, then you may be eligible for the support of a mentor.
Our volunteer mentors are all different to each other, which means you can tell us the sort of person you would like to be linked up with, and we will try and find the right person for you to have as your mentor.
We try and make sure the scheme is right for you before matching you with a mentor. If you feel that you could benefit from being matched with a mentor, please contact the Community Involvement Team on 01225 781202.
Needs
Becoming a mentor
Volunteers should be over 18 years of age, and be able to commit 1-2 hours a week to work with a young person for up to a year. No formal qualifications are required, although potential volunteers should:
- Be able to listen to, communicate with and enjoy the company of young people
- Be open-minded and non-judgemental and committed
- Have patience, common sense, flexibility (and a sense of humour!)
- Be committed, reliable and able to work within the scheme guidelines
All volunteers are recruited subject to Criminal Records Bureau clearance* and other checks, and are offered relevant training, which must be completed before being matched with a young person.
As a mentor you will become part of a large and committed Community Involvement Team, with the opportunity to meet other volunteers at social, support and training events. You will also have:
- The opportunity to develop new skills and experience, which could lead to career development
- Mileage and agreed out of pocket expenses
- Training, supervision and ongoing support
- The satisfaction of making a significant contribution to the lives of troubled young people and to the community as a whole
Please ring 01225 781202 for a volunteer information pack.
*Volunteers with a previous criminal conviction are not automatically disqualified from applying.
Last updated: 18 May 2009