North West
Mentoring and befriending in your region
Mentoring and Befriending activity in the North West is exciting and the sector is growing fast. With a population approaching seven million, the North West is a socially diverse region with Manchester and Liverpool serving as the two main centres of population in the North West with significant surrounding conurbations; areas of Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire serving as vast inter-regional contrast. The Foundation aims to reach both urban and rural communities through its work with charities & voluntary sector bodies.
At present we work with over 868 mentoring and befriending projects and organisations in the region. At the end of February 2008 290 of these had taken part in our registration and consultation process. 30% of the projects consulted with were befriending, 51% mentoring and and 19% peer mentoring (both pre and post 16). Most of these projects were in the non profit sector with the majority being run by voluntary organisations and charities. The most popular client group that these projects work with are those at risk of offending/offender management and those with low confidence/self esteem.
The North West has many examples of good practice in Mentoring and Befriending, including;
At present we work with over 868 mentoring and befriending projects and organisations in the region. At the end of February 2008 290 of these had taken part in our registration and consultation process. 30% of the projects consulted with were befriending, 51% mentoring and and 19% peer mentoring (both pre and post 16). Most of these projects were in the non profit sector with the majority being run by voluntary organisations and charities. The most popular client group that these projects work with are those at risk of offending/offender management and those with low confidence/self esteem.
The North West has many examples of good practice in Mentoring and Befriending, including;
Our aim is to recruit, train and support volunteers to mentor young people aged 9-18 years of age on Blackpool Youth Offending Team and Springboard projects. Currently we work with 48 matched relationships and our objectives are:
To develop their confidence and self esteem
To assist in completion of the young persons action plan
To encourage them to access positive leisure activities
To link them into further education, training and employment
Motivate were successful in achieving MBF's Approved Provider Standard in July of this year for more infomation on mentoring project please visit www.motivatetraining.co.uk/mentoring.htm
Time Together Peer Mentoring Project, Liverpool
Time Together ran a Peer Mentoring Project from June 2004 to May 2007 for young refugees and asylum seekers - whilst not actively seeking new volunteers or clients they are currently maintaining the approximately 10 relationships they have set up. The Liverpool-based project aims to reduce the isolation of young people, explore new opportunities with them and work to build their skills and confidence through the support of a young mentor. Time Together Liverpool achieved MBF's Approved Provider Standard in February this year, for more information on this project please visit www.refugee-action.org/liverpool/projects.aspx#peermentoring
More examples of the real impact of Mentoring and Befriending within local communities can be found at our case studies or regional news pages.
We have representatives in all of the nine government regions throughout England, making a direct impact upon the communities that you live in. They can help you with a number of things; setting up a project, developing an existing programme or achieving Approved Provider Status (APS) status.
Contact your Regional Co-ordinators
