About the Organisation
Friendship Works mentors are ordinary people doing extraordinary things to improve the life chances of vulnerable children and young adults living in London.
What you will be doing
Young people leaving the care system are often left to face the challenges of adulthood without family or previous carers to turn to for advice, information or support. Our volunteer mentors provide these young adults with a trusted, long term relationship at a time which can often be frightening, lonely or confusing.
A care experienced young adult is someone who has been in care for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday. This service supports care experienced young adults aged 18 – 25.
By matching young adults leaving the care system with a volunteer mentor to build a positive, long term friendship, they are given access to support and new experiences. This helps them develop life skills and a greater sense of self worth, building the resilience needed to manage the challenges of adult life. As a result young adults gain new perspectives and are in a better position to explore training, education or employment opportunities.
We need male and female adult volunteers to build a stable and positive long term friendship with a care experienced young adults through weekly outings. These outings last for 2-3 hours, giving mentors and mentees a chance to explore mutual interests and participate in new activities together.
What's in it for you?
Our mentors tell us that the experience of providing long-term support to a care experienced young adult can be challenging, but it’s also very rewarding. Many of our volunteers also report that volunteering as a mentor has helped them:
- Discover new levels of patience and empathy;
- Gain insight into the challenges facing care experienced Londoners;
- Try new activities or visit new places;
- Gain a new perspective;
- Develop greater confidence and self esteem;
- Experience greater levels of happiness.
All Family Action volunteers receive full training and access to regular supervision and ongoing support for as long as they are in the role.
Mentoring is free for volunteers – all expenses incurred are reimbursed to a maximum amount per month, inclusive of activity expenses and travel costs.
What skills will you need?
There is no typical Friendship Works mentor. We want our volunteers to be as diverse as the young adults we support.
We welcome applications by volunteers from all walks of life, with a variety of life experiences, including people from ethnically diverse communities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
This role will suit volunteers who:
- Are over 23 years old;
- Demonstrate good levels of empathy;
- Can show high levels of commitment and resilience;
- Are good listeners and non-judgemental;
- Have the skills to build a positive, safe friendship with a care experienced young person;
- Are active and fun, and have hobbies or interests to share with a young adult
This role requires a high level of commitment, so it is important for volunteers to understand what is involved. Anyone interested is invited to attend a Volunteer Information Evening, where we will explain more about what our mentors do and why this model of mentoring is so effective. There will also be a chance to hear from our staff team, young people and a current mentor.
What's the time commitment and where?
Time Commitment: 2 years, 3 hours per week
Pan London-based service; volunteering takes place within the community close to the young adult's home.
How can I apply?
Please complete the form below and we will put you in contact with the organisation. It’s helpful if you can tell us a little about yourself and why you’re interested in this role in the message box below.
By completing this form you agree for us to pass on your contact details to the organisation.