Westminster "Celebration" Event - Jan 08
35 MPs including Cabinet Ministers attended the "Mentoring and Befriending - Celebrating Success" event at the Houses of Parliament
“Mentoring and Befriending – Celebrating Success” saw over 120 project volunteers, co-ordinators, politicians and cabinet ministers come together for a unique networking opportunity aimed at engaging with MPs and enabling them to hear personal accounts about the positive impact of a mentoring or befriending relationship. The event took place on 31st January 2008 at the Houses of Parliament.
Whether it is bringing quality of life to the older or disabled person, supporting a refugee or helping to shape the development of the child in the school environment, mentoring and befriending can make a significant contribution towards improving society and enhancing people’s aspirations.
Most projects were matched up with their own local MP and guests were given the opportunity to tell them all about the excellent work carried out in their schools or communities. Where MPs could not attend arrangements were made for them to visit projects in their constituencies.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all projects and MPs that took part in this event, without your support it would not be possible to highlight the good work that is taking place within our communities.
Whether it is bringing quality of life to the older or disabled person, supporting a refugee or helping to shape the development of the child in the school environment, mentoring and befriending can make a significant contribution towards improving society and enhancing people’s aspirations.
Most projects were matched up with their own local MP and guests were given the opportunity to tell them all about the excellent work carried out in their schools or communities. Where MPs could not attend arrangements were made for them to visit projects in their constituencies.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all projects and MPs that took part in this event, without your support it would not be possible to highlight the good work that is taking place within our communities.
Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears addresses the audience
The Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears, Minister for Communities and Local Government sponsored the event. She told the gathering:
“....the more we can do in our Department to act as advocates and champions for the mentoring and befriending work that you do then you have our commitment.”
Listen to Hazel Blears' full address
Minister for the Office of the Third Sector Phil Hope said afterwards:
“The Foundation plays an integral role in supporting the Government's national volunteering strategy and offers many people the chance to give something back to their community. Volunteers who get involved in mentoring and befriending are making an invaluable contribution to our society, from helping refugees integrate into new communities to making sure the elderly have company.”
“....the more we can do in our Department to act as advocates and champions for the mentoring and befriending work that you do then you have our commitment.”
Listen to Hazel Blears' full address
Minister for the Office of the Third Sector Phil Hope said afterwards:
“The Foundation plays an integral role in supporting the Government's national volunteering strategy and offers many people the chance to give something back to their community. Volunteers who get involved in mentoring and befriending are making an invaluable contribution to our society, from helping refugees integrate into new communities to making sure the elderly have company.”
Mentees and befriendees take to the stage
In a valuable and moving part of the proceedings several mentees and befriendees took to the stage to be interviewed about their experiences. They included a refugee from Sierra Leone mentored through Hope Worldwide charity, a 15 year old carer (121 Youth Befriending, Kent) who looked after his grandmother and a blind man (Worcestershire Association for the Blind) whose befriender took him to play golf.
And you can hear those interviews by clicking on the links below:
- DISC learning difficulties project with Valerie Morante (Co-ordinator) and Beverley Lynn (Befriendee)
- Hope Worldwide homeless project with Jamil Shuman (Mentee) and Tommy Cloherty (Mentor)
- 121 Youth Befriending with KJ Elliot (Befriendee) and Tanya Stephens (Befriender)
- Brick Lane BME project with Jahanara Yasmin (Mentee) and Khadeja Begum (Co-ordinator)
- The Chafford School and Highfield Humanities peer mentoring projects with Piravinth Jegatheeswaran (Mentee), Lewis Outten (Mentor) and Laura Turner (Mentee/Mentor)
- Worcestershire Association for the Blind project with Peter Moriarty (Befriendee)
Project representatives also enjoyed the opportunity to have their work recognised and attend a prestigious event at the Houses of Parliament. Nigel Wood, Programme Manager of Leeds Learning GOAL project commented:
"The whole day was such a special event for Nathan and it was good for him to be recognised and rewarded for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment he has shown.
Nathan had never been on a train before or visited London and I know both him and his family are grateful for the opportunities the day offered. Nathan commented to me on the train about how he felt really honoured to be invited and how he understood that he wouldn't get many opportunities like this".
And you can hear those interviews by clicking on the links below:
- DISC learning difficulties project with Valerie Morante (Co-ordinator) and Beverley Lynn (Befriendee)
- Hope Worldwide homeless project with Jamil Shuman (Mentee) and Tommy Cloherty (Mentor)
- 121 Youth Befriending with KJ Elliot (Befriendee) and Tanya Stephens (Befriender)
- Brick Lane BME project with Jahanara Yasmin (Mentee) and Khadeja Begum (Co-ordinator)
- The Chafford School and Highfield Humanities peer mentoring projects with Piravinth Jegatheeswaran (Mentee), Lewis Outten (Mentor) and Laura Turner (Mentee/Mentor)
- Worcestershire Association for the Blind project with Peter Moriarty (Befriendee)
Project representatives also enjoyed the opportunity to have their work recognised and attend a prestigious event at the Houses of Parliament. Nigel Wood, Programme Manager of Leeds Learning GOAL project commented:
"The whole day was such a special event for Nathan and it was good for him to be recognised and rewarded for the hard work, enthusiasm and commitment he has shown.
Nathan had never been on a train before or visited London and I know both him and his family are grateful for the opportunities the day offered. Nathan commented to me on the train about how he felt really honoured to be invited and how he understood that he wouldn't get many opportunities like this".
Future developments
Chief Executive of the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation Peter Collins describes the event as an enormous success. He told guests about the expanding role of the Interdepartmental Forum which interfaced the Foundation with senior administrators in a number of key government departments.
The process of dialogue will continue to develop through events such as the National conference, MPs visits to projects within constituencies and through feedback on papers such as the REACH report and the Youth Inclusion programme.
The process of dialogue will continue to develop through events such as the National conference, MPs visits to projects within constituencies and through feedback on papers such as the REACH report and the Youth Inclusion programme.
