Referrer Information

Project Aims

Project Objectives

Participants in the project

Role of the Mentor

The Referral Process

Click Here to Download a Referral Form

KEY Project

 

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AIMS

• To reduce youth crime and other at-risk behaviour
• To increase young people's involvement in education, training and employment
• To empower young people to maximise their potential
• To enhance young people's sense of personal and community responsibility
• To enable community members to become involved in solving community difficulties through volunteering
• To work in partnership with local agencies to the benefit of the community

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OBJECTIVES

• To offer participants a consistent and supportive role-model via their relationship with a volunteer mentor.
• To provide participants with the opportunities, and the support that they realistically need, to positively alter their lifestyles.
• To assist participants to develop and achieve personal goals.
• To engage participants in education, training and /or employment in partnership with local training providers.
• To enhance participant employability.
• To introduce participants to local community resources and encourage constructive use of leisure time.
• To enhance participants' sense of personal responsibility, self-worth and self-confidence

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PARTICIPANTS

Referrals are invited in respect of 12-17 year olds who have offended or are at risk of offending. These are young people who are experiencing difficulties or presenting problems in the areas identified by the Youth Justice Board, namely the Family, Eductaional History, Environmental, and the Individual. Referrals are accepted from voluntary and statutory agencies as well as friends and family. Participation is voluntary and self-referrals are therefore particularly welcome.

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MENTORS

Each young person is matched for one year with a volunteer mentor, recruited from the local community. Mentors are trained to guide participants through the programme and support their personal, social and educational development. They are supportive, non-judgmental role models who assist young adults to develop and achieve their personal goals. The 'Community Mentoring' Award is formally accredited by the Open College Network

Click here for futher Mentor Info

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REFERRAL PROCESS

20-25 young people are recruited each year. The Project operates a rolling programme accepting referrals throughout the year, however, the core matching and assesment process takes place in the Spring and Autumn. Holiday activities are offered to new referrals during half terms, Easter, and Summer (see 'KEY' below). The project accepts referrals from statutory and voluntary agencies, as well as family and friends. Self-referrals are particularly welcome. Mentoring Plus operates a non-exclusion policy although referrals must meet the following criteria:

• 12-17 years old
• Offended / at risk of offending
• Living in B&NES
• Young people commit to the programme on a voluntary basis

The programme cannot be made as a condition of a criminal sentence. However, Mentoring Plus complements the aims of community supervision and encourages applicants who are subject to criminal court orders. Participant travel expenses are reimbursed throughout the programme.

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KEY PROJECT

(supported by the Connexions Service)

The Key Project is a holiday education and activity programme. New referrals are invited to attend KEY activities during school holidays. These activities can include camping trips, out-door pursuits, circus skills, willow sculpture , walks, mountain biking, canoeing, cooking and graffiti workshops. Aswell as providing much needed holiday activities for young people, KEY has become an integral part of the assessment of young people. KEY is used to determine levels of engagement, suitabilty and to identify any specific needs or issues that Mentoring Plus should be aware of when working with a particular young person. This time is particulary useful to facilitate appropriate Mentor matching during the Residential weekends in the Spring and Autumn.

BENEFICIARIES