Mentors sought to support young people (26.9.11)

The Royal Borough is once again seeking volunteers to mentor young people who are in care, vulnerable or at risk of offending.

All volunteers receive training and supervision from the borough's Youth Offending Team and in return need to commit to two hours a week for a minimum of one year. Mentors will:

• spend problem-free time with a young person
• act as a positive role model
• engage in constructive activities and offer encouragement, support and reliability.

Volunteers must be over 18 years old and live or work in the Royal Borough. All applicants are subject to enhanced CRB checks and reference checks.

There are also a number of volunteer mentoring and supervisory roles including:

• Panel Members - The Volunteer Panel Members meet with the young person, his or her parents and possibly the victim of the offence and based on a Restorative Justice Process look at who has been affected by the offence and how they have been affected
• Reparation Supervisors - Volunteer Reparation Supervisors ensure young people are supervised during their reparation sessions to support them with the tasks and ensure their safety
• Appropriate Adults - Volunteer Appropriate Adults are volunteers who have agreed to attend police interviews with young people when there is no one from the young person's family able to attend.

Cllr Eileen Quick, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "It is vital we give our more vulnerable young people the support they need to enable them to achieve their potential and make a positive contribution to the community.

"All young people need suitable role models and I would urge anyone who has some spare time to consider becoming a mentor. It is not only rewarding but it benefits both the young person and the volunteer and is a real win-win. We all have a role to be a corporate parent and the borough is committed to ensuring young people in care and leaving care are offered the same opportunities as their peers.

"I would urge anyone who is interested in supporting our young people to get in touch."

Amy Wilkinson from Windsor, has been a mentor for the Youth Offending Team for six months. She says: "I love mentoring, being able to help someone make a positive change in their life and encourage them to continue this. A bit of inspiration and motivation can do wonders. I have found it incredibly rewarding, building a relationship with troubled young people and helping them make a change for themselves down a positive path.

"I would encourage people to take some time out of their lives and donate it to someone who really needs it."

For an informal discussion and further information on any of the roles, please contact:
Louise Marian, Volunteer Co-ordinator, Youth Offending Team, on 01628 683280 or email louise.marian@rbwm.gov.uk