- Advice / Information Giving, Advocacy / Human Rights, Befriending / Mentoring, Community / Economic Development, Management / Business Skills, Youth Work
- Children, Family Support, General Public, Leaving / In Care, Local Community, Low Income Households, Mental Health, Older People, Refugees / Asylum Seekers, Tackling Unemployment, Volunteering, Young People
Description
Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring programme, operating in various locations across the UK. We are currently looking for new Volunteer Mentors to join our programme in Midlothian which launched in 2023.
It is widely recognised that care-experienced young people are some of the most disadvantaged in society. Many are in care because they have experienced, or are at risk of, neglect and/or abuse. Security and stability are often missing from their lives.
We recruit, train and support volunteer mentors (normally but not exclusively aged 50+) who draw on their wealth of professional and personal life experience and skills to support young people (aged 16-26) through life transitions on their pathway to independence.
Grandmentors is all about empowering and positive relationships, aligning to “The Promise” that Scotland made to its care experienced population. Young people are listened to, heard, and responded to. They benefit from safe, consistent loving relationships, and access to meaningful support to boost mental & physical wellbeing, resilience, and confidence.
Grandmentors facilitate conversations around keeping well, coping strategies, self-care, and self-management. Each young person alongside their Grandmentor co-produces a bespoke support plan and set goals based on their needs.
They explore and review the young person’s challenges, and priorities. These range from enhancing mental & physical health and wellbeing, dealing with stress and conflict, support to access sustainable and appropriate housing, career, and education goals, budget planning and more.
Organisation aims and objectives
Our vision is of a society where everyone can participate in their local community through volunteering and social action.
Availability
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Frequency and commitment details
1-2 hours weekly/fortnightly
Restrictions
Grandmentors is an opportunity for older volunteers, normally aged 50+. However, if you beleive you have skills and life experience to offer, we do not discriminate against age
Experience required: Good people and communication skills
Good organisational skills
Life skills
Patience and determination with lots of resilience
Experience of interest in supporting young people, many of whom face life barriers and challenges
Travel details: Grandmentors supports young people across all areas of Midlothian
Minimum age: 50
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: All travel and general expenses re-imbursed weekly (in line with our organisaiton expenses policy)
Taster available: Yes
Taster details: Information Session, to find out more details, available to all prospective volunteers
Training details: Volunteers are provided induction and ongoing training, as well as support from a dedicated staff member