Mentoring Young Talent (MYT) is seeking new volunteer mentors… MYT works with young people between the age of 12-26yrs, supporting them 1-1 to gain confidence, explore their strengths, help make future plans to either increase their educational attainment or secure a destination like work, training or further education. Our younger project (12-16yrs) provides mentors to care experienced school attendees while our project for 16-26 year olds aims to support young people locally who may be unemployed, struggling to identify their next steps, need to strengthen their skills and gain from the interaction with a positive role model. Everyone is welcome to apply to be a mentor, it’s a great way to give back, support local young people and share your knowledge and experience. We provide training, support and fund some great activities to take part in alongside your matched young person. This volunteer opportunity is also a great career development opportunity, increasing your own employability skills as a result. During Covid 19 we have seen many young people’s future plans dashed, unemployment rise and increased insecurity for this age group. Mentoring provides a positive way to help this generation, If you can manage between 1-2 hours a week please get in touch. We are seeking volunteers of all ages and life experience and have young people waiting.

The MCR Pathways programme was founded in 2007. In 2018, the programme began expanding across Scotland with the Young Clackmannanshire Talent (YCT) programme launching in 2019. YCT is helping young people find, grow and use their talent throughout Clackmannanshire. When one person mentors, two lives are changed. Volunteer mentors spend one hour a week listening to and encouraging their young person. The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. Young people are matched with a mentor based on their personalities, interests and career aspirations. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that mentors come from all walks of life. Mentors are role models, who make a life-changing difference to young people. Additionally, mentoring has been shown to make a powerful and positive impact on those who give their time and support. If you are interested in spending one hour a week with a local young person, assisting them to realise their aspirations, MCR will provide all the support and training you require! For more information, or to sign up, please visit https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/

Aberlour Sycamore Services offer a safe and loving place to live for children and young people who have experienced abuse or trauma. As a volunteer Befriender, you can play an active role in supporting a child or young person emotionally, socially and helping them to enjoy a range of opportunities and activities. Volunteer Befrienders spend regular 1:1 time with a child or young person to build up a trusting relationship, to develop interests and hobbies, and to be a consistent figure in their life to support them through life transitions. Children and young people living in our Sycamore Residential Services can benefit hugely from having a Befriender. Spending time on a 1:1 basis allows children and young people to develop their communication skills and build their confidence and self-esteem through sharing in a fun activity. By volunteering as a Befriender in our Sycamore Residential Services, you can gain valuable experience of working with children and young people and developing an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of Sycamore Residential teams. Volunteer Befrienders typically spent time with a child or young person once every 2-3 weeks, during evenings and weekends.

There’s volunteering, and then there’s Full-Time Volunteering (FTV). It’s an incredible opportunity for people aged between 18 and 35 to undertake a life-changing challenge, living away from home for up to 12 months while supporting some of the most vulnerable or marginalised people and communities across the UK. It’s your chance to unearth hidden talents, boost self-confidence, meet new people and change lives. So whether you’re looking to leave your mark on the world, develop your skills base or devote a gap year to a cause you really care about, FTV is for you. No one volunteering placement is the same. You could be supporting older people, homeless people, families, children or young people. You might be working within an environmental setting, or a residential one, or you could be undertaking sporting activities – we take care to match you to the opportunity that’s right for you. This could mean: Befriending and supporting someone in their home, or groups of beneficiaries in a single project (like a homeless shelter), making a real difference to their wellbeing Acting as a mentor or role model to young people or people with disabilities, perhaps helping them to plan for their futures at key transition points in their lives Enabling access to social and leisure activities, at home, locally or at University, giving people connections to their communities they couldn’t otherwise enjoy. Full-time volunteering is also an excellent route to recognised work experience in a variety of sectors, including social work, social care, nursing, medicine, teaching, youth work and psychology. For any further information, or an informal chat, please contact volunteer@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or telephone 0121 678 8821 .