The Rockingham Youth Mentoring Program is a community based mentoring program focusing on supporting the pathways of young people.
Since 2005, Rockingham Youth Services has noted an increase in inquiries from families and youth organisations for a hands on program utilising long-term relationships to address socialisation and life skill issues experienced by young people living in the City of Rockingham.
In June 2007, City of Rockingham Youth Services submitted an application to the Department for Communities for funding to commence the development of a Mentor program. In September, the City was notified that they were successful in their application to the Youth Grants WA Special Projects Grant attracting $35,000 worth of funding to commence this project.
In late December 2007, a Project Officer was contracted to implement the first phase of the Mentor program including consultation with the community, identification of target group, development of policies and procedures and the recruitment of an initial group of mentors and young people for the program.
The program is voluntary with the mentor volunteering their own time to improve the health and wellbeing of a young person. The young people involved in the program participate voluntary - they have control of their involvement and may withdraw at anytime. The program operates within a community-based model whereby the mentor and mentee arrange to meet in various locations including a local park, at an activity or at the young person’s home with a focus on building a positive friendship and supportive network for the young person.
The program is aimed at supporting the development of young people aged 10 - 17 years old living within the City of Rockingham. These young people may require additional support, guidance and friendship and may be at risk of homelessness, disengaged from school, victims of bullying, have low self-esteem & be socially isolated from their friends or peers.
Volunteer mentors have a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of young people and come from all walks of life. Mentors may be currently unemployed, studying or employed part-time and seeking other opportunities. They will be community members with an interest in young people and are recruited, screened and trained prior to being matched with a young person (mentee). Although volunteer mentors may already be parents to children they are not expected to be a parent, carer or a teacher in the mentor relationship. The volunteer mentors possess unique qualities and are typically non-judgmental, empathetic, tolerant, flexible and aim to share the journey with a young person.
Relationships don’t develop overnight and young people need time to develop a sense of trust. An ideal period for a relationship between the mentor/mentee should be at least 12 months in duration. The initial pilot aims for a commitment of at least 6-months from its volunteer youth mentors to assist in building rapport and the development of the relationship mentors and mentees will be required to meet weekly with an average engagement of 2 hours per week.
Young people are referred to the program by families or youth organisations currently working with the young person. A referral form is completed by the organisation or family and indicates the organisation’s involvement and the family dynamics. To further assess the suitability and assist in the matching, the family and young person are required to complete an application form. At this time, consent is obtained from the family along with the young person's interests and goals. Upon completion of this process the family/young person are notified of the outcome of the application. The matching process of the young person to an appropriate mentor follows this phase. Download PDF Referral Form.
People interested in volunteering as a mentor are required to undergo a comprehensive recruitment process and acceptance as a Volunteer Mentor does not occur until this process is completed. The City of Rockingham Youth Services is committed to the wellbeing of young people and our recruitment process for Volunteer Mentors includes a 6-step recruitment/screening phase:
1. Preliminary screening through an initial information discussion with the prospective Mentor about the mentoring program and commitment required,
2. Written Mentor application form,
3. Face to face interview/Home visit,
4. Working with Children Check (WWCC) & National Police Clearance,
5. 2 personal &/or professional referee checks,
6. Induction & training phase
Personal growth
Employers are looking for people with those extra abilities other than an academic qualification. People with ‘life skills’ or a history in participating in community activities including those that develop leadership and teamwork skills are highly desirable as employees. Employers want people who can communicate effectively – people who listen, as well as speak & write well and have demonstrated this though the involvement in community activities.
Personal Satisfaction
Importantly, mentors have the opportunity to share their vast experiences with and contribute to the development of young people - the ‘feel good’ factor that this brings can be rewarding.
For a young person experiencing bullying, low self-esteem, and loss of confidence or social isolation friends and social networks are very important in their development. Parents, teachers, relatives and friends all play a significant role in a young person’s development. A mentor supports these connections. A Mentor can be a consistent caring friend that has life experience and is a positive role model in ‘supporting the pathways’ of young people.
As a community based model the mentoring program allows the mentor to engage with the mentee in a variety of locations and activities thus linking the mentees into new opportunities and different social environments.
Mentoring relationships contribute to the increase in young people’s level of self-esteem and confidence. Research shows that young mentees are less likely to become involved in criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse or to leave school early. Instead they are more likely to have improved academic performance and have better relationships with their teachers and family compared to their peers who are not mentored.
For more information contact Alicia Kilminster on 9528 8690 or Send a Contact Form Request.
