Play a part in preventing homelessness by becoming a Volunteer Mentor

Your Own Place is delighted to have secured Children in Need and Youth Futures Foundation funding to improve the employment outcomes for year 9s at two Norwich schools in 2021 and 2022.

Following soft-skills and employability workshops focusing on the world of work, year 9s will have the chance to chat through their plans and aspirations in a safe space. This will be with their mentor who will provide an impartial listening ear, help them discover and reveal their skills, empower them to voice their aspirations and develop a plan to achieve them.

The difference you will make

Children and young people have had a tough time through Covid19 – and this project aims to address the ongoing inequality and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.

The positives of having a Your Own Place mentor are best described by our mentees themselves.

‘It’s good to talk to them. They can help you out with stuff. They’re older. They know the world a bit better. They can talk me through situations.’

‘My mentor was so lovely – her approach made me feel safe and comfortable so I could be open and express myself.’

You will be an impartial and non judgemental listening ear – something which is powerful for people of all ages and particularly young people.
You will help your mentee to identify and reveal their skills by asking open questions which allow them to reflect on their successes.
You will empower your mentee to give voice to their aspirations.
You will help them develop their own plan to reach their goals.
You will provide a positive experience of gaining help from an adult.
You will use your life and work experience to inspire them.

What you will gain

You will undertake two days of high quality, engaging training which will improve your mentoring confidence, knowledge and skill.*
We will complete an enhanced DBS check that is transferable to other volunteering opportunities.
By utilising your new mentoring skills regularly you will continue your personal growth. Many of the skills we utilise in mentoring are valued in the workplace eg positive leadership and management techniques.
Volunteering for an organisation with a track record of running successful and impactful mentoring projects will help your CV stand out, particularly if you would like to work in a youth setting.
You will be fully supported throughout so that you can achieve the best outcomes with your mentee and for you.
The satisfaction of using your life and work experience to help a young person envisage their future and start putting plans in place to reach their goals.
The enjoyment of connecting with a young person in a unique way.
The satisfaction of playing a part in preventing future homelessness (those in employment are statistically less likely to be homeless.)

*The training can be completed online, as a mixture of self-directed learning and trainer-led interactive Zoom sessions or face to face (as Covid rules allow)

We hope you feel inspired to be a part of this amazing opportunity.

You can find out FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) here to understand more about how the projects works and then apply for one of the dates below using the application form underneath.

TRAINING DATES

Online courses run from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm

Face to face courses from 10 am – 4 pm at a central Norwich venue