West Midlands
Mentoring and befriending in your region
Mentoring and Befriending activity in the West Midlands is vibrant and the sector is growing fast. More than half of the region’s population live in large conurbation areas, while over 2 million reside in the region’s rural counties, which cover three-quarters of the region’s area. The Foundation aims to reach both urban and rural communities through its work with charities & voluntary sector bodies.
At present we are working with approximately 980 mentoring and befriending projects and organisations across the West Midlands. At the end of February 2009, 230 of those projects had taken part in our registration and consultation process. The registration process is ongoing, and you can either use the above link, or contact your Regional Co-ordinators.
Twenty five percent of the projects consulted with were befriending, 47% mentoring and 25% 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 these projects work with are People with Low Confidence/Self Esteem and Black/Minority and Ethnic Groups.
The West Midlands has many examples of good practice in Mentoring and Befriending, including;
At present we are working with approximately 980 mentoring and befriending projects and organisations across the West Midlands. At the end of February 2009, 230 of those projects had taken part in our registration and consultation process. The registration process is ongoing, and you can either use the above link, or contact your Regional Co-ordinators.
Twenty five percent of the projects consulted with were befriending, 47% mentoring and 25% 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 these projects work with are People with Low Confidence/Self Esteem and Black/Minority and Ethnic Groups.
The West Midlands has many examples of good practice in Mentoring and Befriending, including;
“At YSS we are constantly faced by people who do not fit the ‘system’, where at every turn they seem to be faced by difficult challenges, closed doors and lack of opportunities that create frustration and can re-enforce negative feelings of self-esteem. The majority of our work is outreach-based and delivered in local communities, at times and venues that are convenient for young people and their families. In trying to support people YSS has often been described as being the ‘glue’ between individuals and mainstream society; ensuring people have increased opportunities to lead positive and constructive lives. In order to do this we have developed a wide range of innovative partnerships and projects with the agencies in the voluntary, private and statutory sectors across the West Midlands region. We are committed to delivering services in a flexible way that are constantly improved and changed to meet the needs of those who are accessing our services. Based on what they have told us and with the evidence of the outcomes we have achieved. We then aim to influence policy and practice on a local, regional and national basis wherever possible. Undertaking awareness raising activities, make referrals to partner agencies and lobbying for change. This is how we can make a difference.”
At present YSS projects are run across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, West Midlands and Staffordshire.
Guideposts Trust Warwickshire
Guideposts Befriending & Mentoring Service has just been granted 12 months funding from UPS in Coventry. The service is for adults (18+) with Mental Health problems and/or Learning Disabilities. They propose to support people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, to live as independently as possible for as long as possible and for them to experience choice and inclusion in society. The project hopes that by accessing this service that both service users and volunteer mentors will be able to build on life skills, learn or build upon practical and social skills, have a raised level of aspiration, enter into further volunteering or paid employment, broaden their outlook and increase their self confidence and life choices.
For further information please contact Kerry or Jo on 02476 385888
Or visit the Website at: http://www.guidepostswarks.org.uk
Guideposts Befriending & Mentoring Service has just been granted 12 months funding from UPS in Coventry. The service is for adults (18+) with Mental Health problems and/or Learning Disabilities. They propose to support people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, to live as independently as possible for as long as possible and for them to experience choice and inclusion in society. The project hopes that by accessing this service that both service users and volunteer mentors will be able to build on life skills, learn or build upon practical and social skills, have a raised level of aspiration, enter into further volunteering or paid employment, broaden their outlook and increase their self confidence and life choices.
For further information please contact Kerry or Jo on 02476 385888
Or visit the Website at: http://www.guidepostswarks.org.uk
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; either setting up a project, developing an existing programme or achieving Approved Provider Standard (APS) status.
Contact your Regional Co-ordinator(s)
