The Gateshead Mentoring Project provides support for children/young people aged 8-17 years. This can include practical help e.g. financial skills, and healthy eating, as well as offering motivational support and guidance on anything from education and employment, to managing the transition to adult life.

The NCH Gateshead Mentoring project is based at Liddell Terrace in Gateshead, although mentoring meetings may take place in a variety of community settings.

Children/young people will be referred to the project by a variety of agencies.

Contact with the volunteer and the young person will take place on a weekly basis and meetings will take place in community settings, the relationship is expected to last for one year.

Project Aims:

• Provide emotional and practical support and guidance to a young person to help them achieve their goals.
• Assist the young person to access services.
• Developing their self-esteem, confidence and sense of wellbeing.
• Encouraging their increased participation in social networks and group and community activities.
• Improving their educational aspirations and achievements.
• Improving their levels of physical activity and having a positive impact on their health.
• Reduce their involvement in antisocial behaviour.
• Improving their school attendance.

Volunteer Role – Mentor

All the mentors will be carefully selected and trained volunteers and activities will include, as part of the mentoring relationship, opportunities for the young person to participate regularly (both on a weekly basis and in school holidays) in social networks and group activities. This could be in play clubs, extended school clubs, youth clubs’ sports activities and clubs, arts and music activities, holiday play schemes, Scouts, Guides or other appropriate activities.

Mentors will be expected to meet with the child/young person once a week for 2-4 hours in a community venue.

Full training will be given. This will include role training, Equality and Diversity and Safeguarding children; it is hoped this training will be accredited.

All expenses will be paid for.

Interested? Contact us.