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Responsibilities:

• To participate in a full assessment and training process, including attending an information session, an interview at the Friendship Works office, and an assessment and training weekend (non-residential weekend at Friendship Works offices in Islington), followed by a home visit from one of our caseworkers.
• To undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide required references.
• To establish and develop friendship with mentee through regular weekend meetings, arranging suitable activities to participate in together.
• To provide non-judgemental support to mentee throughout duration of the friendship.
• To understand and abide by all relevant Friendship Works policies and procedures.
• To report to caseworker on a regular basis – participating in weekly phone calls for first six months of the friendship, and monthly calls thereafter.
• To participate in regular review sessions with caseworker (at months, one year, two years and every following year for the duration of the friendship).
• To complete expense sheets and submit these in the allotted time frames.

Volunteer mentors may also be invited to act as ambassadors of the charity at various times, through activities such as speaking at volunteer recruitment or fundraising events and participating in case studies or interviews about their experiences.

Training and support:

Volunteering as a Friendship Works Care Leaver mentor is not only personally rewarding, it is a great opportunity to develop new skills. In addition to the initial training, mentors are supported throughout their journey via regular supervision and reviews with a caseworker.

Mentors also have the opportunity to join our online community to share experiences, skills and ideas with other Friendship Works mentors.

Benefits:

Volunteer mentors have the opportunity to build a friendship and connect with a young person in their community who needs more support. They are able to get more involved in their communities as a result.

Experienced mentors tell us that in addition to being lots of fun, volunteering with Friendship Works has helped them develop skills such as:

• communication
• active listening
• increased empathy
• planning
• change/expectation management.


Skills and attributes required:
Whilst Friendship Works welcomes and encourages mentors from all walks of life, there are some minimum requirements. All volunteer mentors must:
This role will suit volunteers who:

Are over 23 years old;
Demonstrate good levels of empathy;
Can show high levels of commitment and resilience;
Are good listeners and non-judgemental;
Have the skills to build a positive, safe friendship with a care experienced young person;
Are active and fun, and have hobbies or interests to share with a young adult.

There are no formal qualifications needed to become a volunteer mentor, but we look for some key personal qualities.