Mentor for Young People in South Devon – Volunteer Full Time NEW

Our youth work mentors help to improve life chances for young people between 16-25 year-olds who may have experienced trauma in their childhood, are neurodiverse, have SEND or are care experienced. We provide training and support to help you make the most of your mentoring experience.

What difference will you make?

What is mentoring?

We meet with young people face to face in the community. That could be a favourite café or park.

Help young people reach their goals. We help young people work out what you want to change and help them to make those changes. Whether that’s applying for college or jobs, life stuff like driving licences and bank accounts, or finding ways to feel happier, less anxious or more in control.

Types of young people we work with.

• Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

Research shows that being NEET can have a negative impact on lifelong employability, earnings and health. We support young people to access education and training providers and with employability skills.

• Care leavers

Being placed in care and the circumstances leading up to this, whether or not a young person eventually returns home can have a significant impact on them. We offer skilled support and guidance to care experienced young people.

• SEN and Neurodiversity

Many of the young people we work with are Neurodiverse and many have additional learning needs which have made school a very challenging experience. We offer a safe service which allows young people to explore their needs and set goals appropriate to them.

“I didn’t realise that just moving town would make a massive difference to my whole life. Without the support of my mentor, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to apply for jobs, build a relationship with my PA and reach out to old friends”. M, 20

What are we looking for?

Who We’re Looking For

• You’re a good listener, with an open, inclusive, and non-judgemental attitude.
• We support a number of young men who often feel more comfortable having a male mentors, so we need more men to apply please.
• You enjoy meeting new people and learning new skills, and you’d like to spend some time alongside a young person, helping them to develop and grow.
• You may seek to help others as a result of your own challenges in life, overcoming childhood trauma and adversity, and/or previous or current work you do with young people including as a parent/carer, in education or in the community.
• Ideally, you’ll have your own transport, or good access to public transport.
• Ideally, you’ll have experience working with young people in a mentoring capacity.
• You may have a background working in education or social care.
• You have undergone some safeguarding training previously.

What will you be doing?

Mentors will be assigned a young person and meet for 1 hour a week for 12 weeks.

We are based in Newton Abbot and the young people we support are mostly in the Teignbridge, Torbay, Exeter area, with some referrals in other areas of Devon.

Who We’re Looking For

• A good listener, with an open, inclusive, and non-judgemental attitude.
• Someone who enjoys meeting new people and learning new skills, the role includes spending some time alongside a young person, helping them to develop and grow.
• You may seek to help others as a result of your own challenges in life, overcoming childhood trauma and adversity, and/or previous or current work you do with young people including as a parent/carer, in education or in the community.
• Ideally, you’ll have your own transport, or good access to public transport.
• Someone with a good awareness of how to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries and who will adhere to safeguarding requirements to keep both themselves and the young people safe,

What We’re Looking For

• Up to 2 days for initial induction and training
• 2 hours a week (1 directly mentoring) for at least 12 weeks.
• Approx. 4 optional activities a year.

Benefits

• Join a supportive team, all with the same goal to support vulnerable young people.
• Training provided to carry out your role, including NSPCC safeguarding and Mental Health First Aid Course.
• Ongoing calendar of training.
• 1 to 1 supervision throughout your mentoring journey.
• Expenses paid.
• Enhance your CV and develop personal and professional skills and experience.
• Chance to make a difference and feel really valued.