Are you passionate about investing in the young people of Reading, Newbury and Wokingham and have an hour a week to share your knowledge, skills and expertise? Starting Point has opportunities to mentor local young people who are currently not in education, employment and training.

Our Aspire programme supports young people aged 16-25 throughout their journey of attaining, sustaining and thriving within education, employment and training. We do this through carefully matching a young person to a mentor who acts as a consistent role model, tailoring the support to each individuals’ unique needs and aspirations.

At Starting Point we train, equip and match volunteers to a young person in need of support around education, employment and training.

Each young person has barriers that are unique to them, making our tailored, individual and holistic approach crucial to their success.

Your input is vital to radically transform the future for young people.

What does mentoring involve?

Mentoring takes place wherever is easiest for the young person and mentor, and wherever the young person feels most comfortable, however we do not offer home visits. This could be in McDonalds, Costa, or at our Mentoring Hub on London Street which is close to Reading town centre.

Tailoring the mentoring to each individual’s specific needs, our mentors offer one-to-one support in both practical skills and social-emotional development. This could include:

Practical Support

· Preparing CVs

· Developing interview skills

· Job searching and completing application forms

· Attending college open days and job fairs

· Introducing a young person to potential business contacts

Social-Emotional and Wellbeing Support

· Being a listening ear

· Working on communication skills

· Improving self-esteem

· Building a positive mental attitude

· Help with conflict resolution skills

To ensure young people are consistently supported, it is important that you can commit to a minimum of 12 months as a Volunteer Mentor.

How has mentoring with Starting Point helped some of our young people?

“The work you do is incredible, and it really allows you to get somewhere”. – Alex

“Starting Point has inspired me and it can inspire others as well and change their life forever”. – Taycie

“I was in stupid places, doing stupid things, but now I see a brighter future”. – Donnavan

Personal attributes required:

· Empathetic

· An active listener

· Relational

· A sense of humour

· Committed to the approach and ethos of Starting Point

Previous experience working with young people is desirable, but not essential

Advance Mentoring is Starting Point’s exciting new programme, supporting young people aged 11-19 who are at risk of exclusion and/or becoming NEET upon leaving education. Mentoring focuses on providing consistent support to a young person, and being a positive influence to help them re-engage at school and feel more confident about their future. Mentoring can focus on practical and wellbeing support.

Mentoring for a small amount of time can have a transformational impact on the lives of young people in Reading, Wokingham and the surrounding areas and we want you to be part of that!

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Starting Point- Volunteer Mentor

Starting Point- Volunteer Mentor

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