Bath-based charity Mentoring Plus has launched an appeal to the community to connect with children and young people needing extra support, as it marks its 25th anniversary.
MP Wera Hobhouse visiting the charity | Photo courtesy of Mentoring Plus
During a recent visit, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse shared insightful discussions with members of staff and three of the charity’s Youth Reps, previous mentees who have chosen to stay involved.
The MP heard how individuals who are disengaged from education, anxious, isolated, or at risk of harm can benefit from mentoring.
Like many local charities, Mentoring Plus has seen charitable donations from individuals, businesses and organised events reduce since the start of the pandemic.
The number of volunteers coming forward to train as mentors has also shrunk, both at the time when the number of children and young people needing support has increased.
Mentoring Plus is aiming to welcome 25 new companies and 25 new regular individual donors during its anniversary year.
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, commented: “Talking with the Youth Reps about their experience showed the life-changing positive impact that Mentoring Plus can have on a child’s life.
“In the post-COVID climate, it is more important than ever that children’s mental health services are helped to thrive. School gives us the opportunity for success, but every child will reach their full potential in different ways.
“Mentoring Plus is connecting with those needing extra support, guiding them through sessions to help unlock their full potential.
“I strongly encourage everyone to volunteer for this vital charity, who are changing young lives across our Bath community.”
Charity CEO Ruth Keily explained: “25 years ago in 1998, the founders of Mentoring Plus saw how young people struggling in school, with family difficulties or with mental wellbeing needed timely help to stay safe and fulfil their potential.
“We’ve been training and supporting adult volunteer mentors to get alongside young people ever since. But it’s more difficult now than ever.
“We rely on our community for charitable fundraising to help us support young people.
“We understand – organised events are only just getting back to normal, people aren’t together in the workplace in the same way as before, and we’ve all been affected by the rising cost of living.
“Meanwhile the flow of new volunteers has been affected by people changing jobs, making up for missed holidays and time with family. But our young people really need time with mentors too.”
Adult volunteer mentors are background checked and trained by the charity, which also provides support directly to young people, families and schools to ensure difficulties are identified and addressed.
Volunteers are of all ages, come from all walks of life and need no previous experience, just kindness, reliability and a commitment to meet up with their mentee weekly for a year.
The charity pays the travel costs and expenses of mentors and mentees getting out and connecting with opportunities in the community, aiming to match pairs with similar interests from sport and music to crafting, cookery and dog walking.
You can find out more about supporting Mentoring Plus here.
Youth Rep Sammy said: “It’s sad to think of young people wanting a mentor and there’s not enough mentors to go around. Before I had a mentor, my life was like, really difficult.
“I couldn’t see how things would get better. But just having someone to talk to who was completely interested and helped me get out of the house and try new things really changed how I felt.
“I hope more people volunteer as mentors or donate money to Mentoring Plus.”
