| You will meet with your mentee regularly, for perhaps 2 hours each week, either in school or at another centre. We try to work on a "same sex" basis although this is not always possible. The mentees are usually aged between 9 and 16. Depending on the project, you will be likely to take part in a number of different activities with your mentee, such as sports, numeracy/literacy work or just fun games. At first, just like any friendship, you will need to get to know each other better. This is a partnership, so explain why you are there and share information about yourself. Tell them about where you live and what you are doing at school, university or in general. If you are not from the UK talk about your country and, where relevant, share information about your different culture and customs. Talk to them about diversity and its importance. They will listen to you; listen to them! Ask them to tell you about themselves but don’t pry if they are not ready to share things with you yet. If they raise a problem, share with them the different ways they might consider solving it, perhaps from your own experience, but remember that what worked for you might not be right for them. You are trying to show them how to find their own solutions not imposing solutions on them. Start to explore the mentee's initial "areas of need", as suggested by the ReachOut! staff or the teacher, if you are working in school but also the basis of what you agree with your mentee and, ideally, their parent or carer. You might be helping with academic work, with improving self esteem and confidence, trying to build character or address other problems identified by your mentee. The school and/or we will help you with materials to do this but we want you to be creative as well so you think about ways of providing practical support. Give practical help with project work where you have the appropriate skills. Try to make the particular learning experience positive, interesting and, if possible, fun so the message that 'life is a learning experience and it can be fun' is understood. Become someone they can rely on and trust. Encourage them to always do their best. |
| WHAT is a Mentor |
| WHAT support does a mentor have? |
| MENTORING Tips |
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