Islington Parent Mentoring
Project
Our Parent Mentoring Project arose out of the needs of families with
whom we work. Most parents want to get back into work but this isn’t
easy when you care for a family! It helps to have someone to talk to, to help
think about options, and find the right path. The Islington Parent
Mentoring project was set up to train and support volunteer mentors and
match them with local parents who need additional support to explore their
options. Parents participating in the project tell us that they feel
supported to make the transition from benefits to studying, volunteering or
paid work. Mentors are equally positive feel that they benefit greatly by
developing their own confidence, skills and experience.
Mentors
Volunteers are vetted via an application and interview process, and
supported throughout the project individually by our Volunteer Co-ordinator
and by group review sessions.
Training and mentoring practice over the six months of the project
culminates in a Level 2 Peer
Mentoring qualification for the mentors, many of whom will be sufficiently
equipped and skilled to go on to find work. Less visible, though more
rewarding, is the sense of giving time in a compassionate way to an
individual and to society in general.
Our training includes listening skills and how they can effect
change; boundaries and professionalism; safeguarding and signposting.
Mentees
Mentees are self-referred, may be previous or current service users
and are ready for change but lacking the confidence to take a first step.
Our in-house crèche facility allows mentees with pre-school
age children to meet with their mentor for an hour once a week in a safe
and unencumbered setting.
Training enables mentor and mentee alike to tap into hidden strengths
and develop skills in areas where they feel their true potential lies. This
will result in parents accessing many more services than they previously
had, for example: debt and benefit advice, employment support services.
We pride ourselves in the support we provide for all volunteers and
learners: and this will invariably include our ‘next steps’
which incorporates action planning, signposting and a 12- week review
towards the end of the project.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or mentee please contact
us.
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