Local children’s charity Befriend a Child is calling on kind and compassionate women in and around Aberdeen to step forward and become volunteer mentors, helping young people waiting for a trusted adult to support, encourage and share new experiences with them.
Befriend a Child is highlighting the difference that having a consistent female role model can make to a child’s life. Among the young people currently waiting for a mentor are children who have goals as simple as learning to swim or learning to read, with the charity looking for volunteers who can help them take those important next steps.
For some young people, mentoring can be about the simple things that many people take for granted. Going for an ice cream at the beach, visiting the cinema for the first time, trying a new activity or simply having someone there to listen and spend one-to-one time with them can create positive memories, build confidence and open up new opportunities.
Befriend a Child is a local children’s charity supporting children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are growing up in difficult life circumstances. Through its befriending, mentoring, group activity programmes and Family Support Project, the charity works to provide positive relationships, experiences and support to help children and young people build confidence, develop new interests and reach their potential.
Its Intandem mentoring programme supports young people aged 7 to 15 who are involved in the care system, including those living at home with social work support or living with extended family in kinship care. Young people are matched with a volunteer mentor who provides a consistent, caring and trusted adult presence in their lives.
“We are looking for kind, patient female mentors across Aberdeen who can give just a few hours twice a month. It may not feel like much time, but to a child waiting for that relationship, it can make a life-changing difference.”
Mentoring is child-led and goal-focused, with volunteers spending around 2-3 hours twice a month with their young person, enjoying activities and outings in the local community. Together, mentors and young people can work towards goals, try new things, develop confidence and build a trusting relationship over time.
The charity is now particularly looking for kind, patient and compassionate female volunteers who can become positive role models for young people currently waiting to be matched.
Olivia Polak, Senior Intandem Co-ordinator at Befriend a Child, said:
“We have children waiting for someone to believe in them, spend time with them and show them what they can achieve. For all of these children, it is so much more than enjoying fun outings together. It is having someone in their corner, creating memories, building confidence and showing them that they matter. We are looking for kind, patient female mentors across Aberdeen who can give just a few hours twice a month. It may not feel like much time, but to a child waiting for that relationship, it can make a life-changing difference.”
Befriend a Child provides full training, PVG checks and ongoing support from its experienced mentoring team. Volunteers are asked to commit to the mentoring relationship for a minimum of one year.
The charity is encouraging women in and around Aberdeen to consider whether they could spare a few hours twice a month to become a volunteer mentor and help a local young person experience new opportunities, achieve their goals and build a positive relationship with a trusted adult.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer mentor, visit Befriend a Child’s website or contact the team directly at o.polak@befriendachild.org.uk.
https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/how-we-help/intandem-mentoring/
