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Mentoring and befriending as a volunteer
Not everyone has a family or friend support network that they can rely on for guidance and advice to help them through difficult times. Volunteers can help to fill this gap by offering their free time and providing support.
What is mentoring and befriending?
Mentoring and befriending is a one-to-one, non-judgemental relationship where you can volunteer your time to support and encourage someone. Many people will seek the support of a mentor/befriender at a time of change in their life. For example, the loss of a family member or change in personal circumstances such as redundancy or retirement. Many volunteers will provide assistance over a long time-scale helping to build trust and a relationship.
People who need guidance and help come from all walks of life and ages, from teenagers through to the elderly.
Examples of mentoring/befriending projects include:
- peer mentoring: students will support and mentor their peers
- community mentors support excluded young people: local mentors are matched with young people nine to 16 years old entering the criminal justice system
- community mentors support school pupils: community mentors provide support to primary school and transition pupils
- e-mentoring: company mentors provide support to local school students through regular email contact
You can find more information and various mentoring opportunities on the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation website.
The Brightside Trust offers an e-mentoring programme via a secure website.
How do you volunteer?
You should be prepared to dedicate a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You will not be there to teach or police the mentee/befriendee but to encourage and give support. If you wish to be a volunteer mentor/befriender you can search through the national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK using the 'Do-it' website.
Case study
One of the best ways to find out about volunteering is to read case studies of people who already provide their time.
Rachel's story: peer mentors help each other to help themselves
Rachel Casey, 21, has just become the first person in Kent to qualify as a peer mentor for the Kent 16plus Service; a service which works for children in and leaving care.
Rachel, from Dover, was helped by a mentor when she was younger, so decided to try it herself.
'My mentor gave me a lot of confidence without pressuring me to do things. But it wasn't just sitting around talking - she suggested things we could do. And it was fun!
'I've just passed my Btec in Mentoring and I'm looking at going into youth work. I certainly don't think I would have thought about doing that if I hadn't done it through my volunteering. But not only that, volunteering gives you a lot of self esteem and it does help you feel good about yourself.'
Rachel is now mentoring another Rachel, 18, who in turn plans to become a peer mentor herself.
'I think she likes being mentored - she hasn't told us otherwise yet!' said Rachel. 'When I first met her she was at quite a vulnerable stage, but she's really progressed. It's been really nice seeing her blossom, and knowing that I've helped'
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