Volunteering news

Group picture of volunteer mentors

What is it like to be a volunteer mentor?

Every week, our volunteer mentors are changing the lives of young people in Bath & North East Somerset. By being kind, listening, and spending just 1-2 hours a week having a bit of fun, our mentors help our young people feel safe, heard and hopeful for their future. 

In our latest volunteer mentor interview, we explore what it’s like to get started and how weekly volunteering positively impacts the wellbeing of both our mentees and mentors.

Becoming a Volunteer Mentor

In this interview, one of our brilliant Volunteer Mentors shares insights into their mentoring journey

Before volunteering with Mentoring Plus, I volunteered with young people from challenging backgrounds when I lived abroad. I grew up on a tough estate, and I wanted to give something back. It was really fulfilling and rewarding. Then, as a parent, I feel like an element of parenting is mentoring, and when you’ve gone through the cycle with your own children, I thought why stop there, when you can help others? 

So, when I saw a Mentoring Plus advert in Boston Tea Party calling for volunteers, I thought what the heck, I’ll give it a go.

Getting out and about in Bath & North East Somerset with our mentees

In this issue of Mentor Monthly, discover great places to visit in Bath & North East Somerset with your mentee

 

Every month, we send our Volunteer Mentors new ideas and suggestions for what they can do with their mentees during their weekly mentoring sessions. 

Outdoor activities

Bath City Farm is a local community farm in Twerton. Animal food costs 50p per bag and you can enjoy feeding goats, ducks, horses, pigs and chickens. After a walk around the farm, enjoy the fantastic café (open Tues-Sun), which is located next door to the play area. 

Alexandra Park has incredible views of Bath, a great play park, and ping pong tables which you can use for free (we can lend our mentors some). On a Friday The Choux Box Patisserie parks up selling the most delicious choux buns and hot chocolate. 

Shining a light on Volunteer Mentoring

We know that 1-2 hours a week with a Volunteer Mentor can be life-changing for a young person having a tough time. Having the undivided attention of a kind, empathetic adult who has chosen to spend time with them can make all the difference to a young person’s happiness and well-being. 

But what is it like to be a Volunteer Mentor? What’s involved? How does it impact our volunteers?

In this interview, one of our lovely Volunteer Mentors shines a light on their experience.

Group of mentors laughing

Mental health awareness is a good thing. Except when it makes us do nothing.

On World Mental Health Day, Ruth Keily, our CEO reflects on the national decline in numbers of volunteers across the charity sector after the pandemic.
At the same time the need for support of children and young people in our communities and our awareness of mental health conditions and their impact on our wellbeing is at an all time high.

By supporting us you can help young people have a better future

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