The Youth Connexions Volunteer Mentoring Programme
Services for Young People offers a mentoring programme which matches young people aged 11 - 19 years (up to 25 years with a LDD) with mentors.
All mentors are volunteers from a variety of backgrounds who have been through a thorough recruitment and training process and are supported by the Mentoring Co-ordinator. The young person and the mentor meet on a regular basis (generally once per week) to work towards agreed goals and discuss any issues or problems which may be holding them back from reaching their full potential.
The aim of the mentoring programme is to equip young people with the necessary skills to make informed and positive choices in their lives. Each mentoring relationship usually lasts for approximately 6 months.
About the mentors
Voluntary mentors are recruited from a wide variety of backgrounds and are willing to devote regular time to supporting young people.
They:
- Work on a one-to-one basis with young people aged 11-19 who may be facing a variety of problems
- Offer appropriate help and support
- Arrange meetings on a regular basis to develop a purposeful, open and trusting relationship
Think you know a young person who might benefit?
If you think you know a young person who might be interested in having a mentor, please download the mentoring leaflet. You can use the leaflet for a discussion about it with the young person; it also has contact details for how to then apply. The videos below also give a good idea of what mentoring can achieve.
Think you might like to be a mentor?
The qualities of a mentor are:
- Ability to develop sound and trusting relationships with young people
- Ability to communicate with young people in a flexible and non-judgmental way
- To be genuine open and honest, and understand the importance of confidentiality
- To be able to give regular time to the project
- Experience of working with young people would be an advantage.
All mentors will be given training before being matched with a young person
Due to the nature of the work, there has to be some formality to recruitment and selection of mentors even though it is a voluntary activity. All volunteers will be asked to complete an application form, provide references and attend interviews.
Watch our videos about mentoring:
Here's what one of our mentors has said about his experience acting as a mentor:
"I am currently mentoring a young person through Youth Connexions. The mentoring training I received from them was first rate, which has been supplemented by additional training relating to the issues and additional skills required to work with young people.
Youth Connexions give excellent support and supervision, so there is always someone to talk over any worries or concerns, and when something has gone really well and you just want to share the good news.
I started seeing my mentee 18 months ago. During my mentoring I have seen him grow in confidence to the point where he can relate easily to others and he has now moved away from home to live in supported housing and will shortly be getting his own bedsit. This was something when we first met he could not imagine doing; he described how he wouldn’t be living independently until in his mid to late twenties and was unable to talk with people he didn’t know.
I am in awe of his progress and evolving confidence.
My work with this young man is coming towards an end. It has been a privilege to be with him on this journey. I look forward to my next mentee and beginning a new journey with them."
Approved Provider Status
In March 2011, the programme was assessed and awarded the Approved Provider Standard by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.
Interested in becoming a Mentor?
Contact Emma Keylock, Mentoring Co-ordinator at Youth Connexions Hertfordshire. emma.keylock@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01992 555661 or 07880 903206
For Personal Advisers arranging mentorships
A leaflet for young people who might be interested in having a mentor can be downloaded and printed here
Please see more information for practitioners about the programme in the staff support area (note:only registered users have access).