Mentoring / sandwriter
South Tyneside Mentoring Scheme and The SandWriter Project were both mentoring schemes within South Tyneside Youth Offending Service (YOS). In 2004 they merged to form ‘The SandWriter Mentoring Project’. This scheme takes people from the local community and trains them to work as volunteer mentors. Once trained, they are matched with a young person aged between 8 and 18 years old. Often referred by the YOS, many of these young people have offended, or are considered to be at risk of offending.
Give a person a solution; it serves them for a day.
Teach a person the tools to find their own solution; it serves them for a lifetime.
Mentors
- ...come from all walks of life
- ...have time to spare
- ...have a genuine interest in young people
- ...are over 18 years old
- ...understand the importance of confidentiality
- ...are committed to supervision and support
- ...value training and self-development
- ...usually spend at least one year with the project
- ...are non-judgemental
- ...are respectful toward young people
- ...can communicate effectively with others
- ...obtain a Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure certificate
‘My mentor is very perceptive. If I’m in a bad mood when we meet, he just knows without asking and gives me the space I need to talk about it when I’m ready’
(Jack, aged 15)
Training
- Communication Skills
- The Mentoring Framework
- Equality and Diversity
- Prejudice Awareness
- Stages of Adolescence
- Basic Skills Awareness
- Child Protection
- Sexual Health
- Drug and Alcohol Awareness
- First Aid
‘It’s great to have someone to talk to outside the family’
(Sarah, aged 12)
Contact
If you are interested in supporting a young person to make positive changes in their life, consider applying to be a volunteer mentor.
Address
13 Beach Road
South Shields, Tyne & Wear NE33 2QA
Telephone
0191 420 3547 or 0191 420 8778
